Cysteine protease inhibitors and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

The invention provides for novel cysteine protease inhibitors and compositions comprising novel cysteine protease derivatives. The invention further provides for methods for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases comprising administration novel cysteine protease inhibitors or compositions comprising novel cysteine protease inhibitors. In some embodiments, the cysteine protease inhibitors are calpain inhibitors.

This application is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT/US13/24364, filed Feb. 1, 2013, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/593,664, filed on Feb. 1, 2012, the content of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

This invention was made with government support under NIH Grant No. U01AG028713 awarded by the National Institute of Health. The government has certain rights in the invention.

All patents, patent applications and publications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The disclosures of these publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art as known to those skilled therein as of the date of the invention described and claimed herein.

This patent disclosure contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves any and all copyright rights.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has been submitted in ASCII format via EFS-Web and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy, created on Mar. 5, 2013, is named 19240.981WO1_SL.txt and is 18,781 bytes in size.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Calpains are a class of ubiquitously expressed calcium-dependent cysteine proteases that regulate numerous intracellular signaling cascades and are fundamentally involved in regulating protein kinases responsible for cytoskeletal dynamics and remodeling. Under physiological conditions, transient and localized Ca²⁺ fluxes from extracellular or intracellular calcium stores result in controlled activation of local calpain populations. Once activated, calpains are tightly regulated by a selective endogenous peptidyl inhibitor, calpastatin (CAPN). While regional calpain proteolytic activity is essential for native Ca²⁺ signaling and cytoskeletal remodeling, pathological conditions may produce excessive levels of Ca²⁺, resulting in widespread calpain activation and unregulated proteolysis leading to exacerbation of pathological conditions. Hyperactivation of calpain 1 is implicated as a primary or secondary pathological event in a wide range of afflictions and neurodegenerative states, including Alzheimer's Disease. Calpain 1 is primarily localized in synapses, and is abnormally activated in post mortem brains of Alzheimer's Disease patients, while calpastatin is found in significantly low amounts.

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a progressive and terminal condition characterized by debilitating memory loss and extensive deterioration of cognitive and functional abilities. Currently available therapies for AD are palliative and do not decelerate or arrest progression of the disease. Cholinesterase inhibitors such as Razadyne® (galantamine), Exelon® (rivastigmine), Aricept® (donepezil), and Cognex® (tacrine) have been prescribed for early stages of AD, and may temporarily delay or halt progression of symptoms. However, as AD progresses, the brain loses less acetylcholine, thereby rendering cholinesterase inhibitors ineffective. Namenda® (memantine), an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, is also prescribed to treat moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease; however only temporary benefits are realized.

There is a need for novel calpain inhibitors. There is also a need for novel treatments for a variety of disease states for which calpain 1 is implicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention is directed to a class of epoxide derivatives of formula (I)

wherein R¹ is —CO₂H, —CO₂(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, or aryl; R² is hydrogen or —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl; R³ is hydrogen, —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl-aryl-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl-OR¹⁰, or

R⁴ is —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, —(CH₂)-heteroaryl, wherein said heteroaryl is optionally substituted with one or more —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl groups, or R⁴ along with the carbon atom to which it is attached forms a —(C₄-C₈)-cycloalkyl ring; R⁵ is —(C₁-C₆)-alkyl-R⁶, —(C₂-C₅)-alkenyl, —(C₂-C₅)-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(n)-aryl, or —(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl, wherein said aryl or heteroaryl are optionally substituted with one or more R⁷ groups; R⁶ is —N(R¹⁰)C(O)R⁸, —N(R¹⁰)S(O)₂R⁸, —N(R¹⁰)C(NH)N(R¹⁰)₂; R⁷ is independently halogen, —(C₁-C₃)-alkyl, aryl, methylenedioxyphenyl, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, wherein said aryl is optionally substituted with one or more R⁹ groups; R⁸ is —(C₁-C₆)-alkyl-R¹¹ or aryl, wherein aryl is optionally substituted with one or more R⁹ groups; R⁹ is independently hydrogen, halogen, —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, —(C₁-C₄)-haloalkyl, —(C₂-C₄)-alkynyl, CN, NO₂, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or

R¹⁰ is independently hydrogen or —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl; R¹¹ is hydrogen,

n is an integer from 0-4; and p is an integer from 0-3; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In some embodiments, R¹ is not —CO₂H when R² is hydrogen and R³ is isopropyl,

and

R¹ is not —CO₂-ethyl when R² and R³ are both hydrogen.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to compositions comprising a compound of formula (I) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of inhibiting a cysteine protease comprising contacting a cysteine protease with a compound of formula (I) or a composition comprising a compound of formula (I). In some embodiments, the cysteine protease is calpain.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of treating neurodegenerative disease in a subject comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I). In some embodiments, the disease is Alzheimer's Disease.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of increasing long-term potentiation in a subject comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I).

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of improving memory in a subject comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I). In some embodiments, the subject has a neurodegenerative disease. In some embodiments, the neurodegenerative disease is Alzheimer's Disease.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of improving synaptic function in a subject comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I). In some embodiments, the subject has a neurodegenerative disease. In some embodiments, the neurodegenerative disease is Alzheimer's Disease.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art from the disclosure herein, which is simply illustrative and not restrictive. Thus, other embodiments will be recognized by the skilled artisan without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows the involvement of calpain in various biological processes.

FIG. 2 shows protease substrates are designated according to their amino acid residues extending from the scissile bond. “Unprimed” and “primed” substrate residues are designated P1, P2, etc. and P1′, P2′, etc., respectively. The design rationale is illustrated using E-64 as a lead.

FIG. 3 shows confirmation of covalent modification of Cal1 active site Cys by epoxysuccinate inhibitors. (FIG. 3A) After capping of free cysteines with iodoacetamide (IAA) and in gel digest, peptide fragments were analyzed by LC-MS/MS. (FIG. 3B) Total ion chromatograms (TIC) for the incubation of recombinant Cal1_(cat) (5 μM) in the absence or presence of inhibitors (10 μM). A non-active site and IAA-capped peptide fragment (R_(t)=41.3 min) was used as an internal standard for EIC quantitation. (FIG. 3C) Active site Cys modification of Cal1_(cat) was concentration dependent in incubation containing Cal1_(cat) (1 μM) and vary concentrations of inhibitors. (FIG. 3D) Co-incubation of Cal1_(cat) (1 μM) with an inhibitor mixture (5 μM) showed competitive modification of the active site by 24a and E-64.

FIG. 4 shows competitive inhibition of Cal1_(cat) vs CathB measured by competitive blocking of active site modification by the biotinylated probe 27. Anti-biotin western blotting of Cal1_(cat) (Lane 6) or CathB (Lane 7) after incubation with 27 show the expected immunoreactivity of the covalently modified proteins. Incubation of a mixture of Cal1_(cat)+ CathB with 27 shows modification of both proteins (Lane 1). Preincubation with inhibitors (Lanes 2-5) shows the ability of each inhibitor to block the active site from modification by 27. Densitometric analysis, using means from triplicate immunoblots, was used to estimate the modification of each protein by 27 in the presence of inhibitors relative to control (Lane 1: ratio=1.0). The ratio of the CathB/Cal1_(cat) immunoreactivity is an estimate of selectivity towards Cal1, with 30a (Lane 3) and 33 (Lane 5) showing highest selectivity.

FIG. 5 shows selected inhibitors (compounds 24a, 30a, and 33) docked within the x-ray structure of Cal1_(cat) [PDB: 2NQG]. FIG. 5A) Structural overlay of putative docking poses; FIG. 5B) Magnified S2 pocket illustrating proposed H-bond formed between the conserved H₂O molecule and the P2 moiety. Docking was carried out via GOLD docking platform using Sybyl molecular modeling software. Docking poses rendered using UCSF Chimera molecular modeling software.

FIG. 6 shows crystal structures of epoxide inhibitors bound at the active site of Cal1 show a relaxed, ring-opened structure, whereas the transition state for epoxide ring-opening requires the Cys nucleophile and His general acid to be aligned for S_(N)2 substitution. Triazole-based inhibitors were designed based upon docking scores biased towards distances approaching 2 Å. For comparison, in the crystal structures: 2NQG d1=4.606 and d2=1.810; and 1TLO (shown with E64, His, and Cys nucleophile) d1=4.775, d2=1.833.

FIG. 7 shows plots of secondary and primary kinetic data for inhibition of papain (FIG. 7A) and Cal1 (FIG. 7B) used to derive detailed kinetic parameters reported in Table 4: E-64 (diamonds—solid line): 24a (closed circles—dashed line); 33 (squares—solid line); 50 (open circles—dotted line). The observed rate constants (k_(obs)) shown in the double reciprocal plots were measured from non-linear fitting of “progress curves” curves for product formation from substrate. Exemplary progress curves are shown for Cal1 inhibition by E64 (FIG. 7C).

FIG. 8 shows the Cal1cat amino acid sequence alignments (Homo sapiens (top sequence; SEQ ID NO: 1); Sus scrofa (second sequence from top; SEQ ID NO: 2); Mus musculus (third sequence from top; SEQ ID NO: 3); and Rattus norvegicus (bottom sequence; SEQ ID NO: 4)). Active site cystein is 115 in the “mini calpains alignment” and 132 in “whole calpains alignment.” Alignment was performed with CLC Sequence viewer (free version) using sequences downloaded from Pubmed.

FIG. 9 shows residual potentiation during the last 5 min following administration of epoxides. Residual levels of potentiation were averaged during the last 5 min of LTP. The compounds were tested for ability to rescue the Aβ-induced LTP impairment (P<0.05).

FIG. 10 shows plasma concentration versus time curves for selected compounds in mice (n=3 mice per group).

FIG. 11 shows Western blotting from hippocampi homogenates obtained from animals treated with vehicle, 30a, 33 and 50.

FIG. 12 shows daily treatment with 67, 30a, 33 and 50 from the age of 2 months until 3 months ameliorated the defect in contextual fear memory (A) and reference memory (B) in APP/PS1 mice. APP/PS1-vehicle: n=15; APP/PS1-67: n=6; APP/PS1-30a: n=10; WT-vehicle: n=15; WT-67=5; WT-30a: n=8, APP/PS1-33: n=11; WT-33: n=8, APP/PS1-50: n=10; WT-50: n=8. P<0.05 in all transgenic groups treated with compound compared to their respective vehicle-treated transgenics.

FIG. 13 shows daily treatment with 67, 30a, 33 and 50 from the age of 2 months until 7 months ameliorated the defect in contextual fear memory (A) and reference memory (B) in APP/PS1 mice. APP/PS1-vehicle: n=17; APP/PS1-67: n=9; APP/PS1-30a: n=10; WT-vehicle: n=18; WT-67=9; WT-30a: n=9, APP/PS1-33: n=10; WT-33: n=9, APP/PS1-50: n=11; WT-50: n=9. P<0.05 in all transgenic groups treated with compound compared to their respective vehicle-treated transgenics (except for 67 reference memory which was not significant).

FIG. 14 shows analysis using clicked conjugates. Alkynyl epoxide is administered to mice, which are sacrificed at 10 and 30 min, followed by perfusion and brain excision. Proteins including those modified by alkynyl epoxide are isolated from brain tissue and after filtering through an avidin column are clicked to a biotinyl azide. Western blotting with streptavidin-HRP visualizes drag-modified proteins. In-gel digest and LC-MS/MS proteomic analysis identifies modified protein targets.

FIG. 15 shows daily treatment with 89 from the age of 2 months until 3 months ameliorated the defect in LTP (A), contextual fear memory (B) and reference memory (C) in APP/PS1 mice. n=10 for all groups unless otherwise indicated. P<0.05 in transgenics treated with compound compared to their respective vehicle-treated transgenics.

FIG. 16 shows Aβ40 and Aβ42 levels in hippocampi of 5-month-old APP/PS1 mice following treatment with 33 (A) and 89 (B) (n=5 for various groups).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Calpains are a class of ubiquitously expressed calcium-dependent cysteine proteases that regulate numerous intracellular signaling cascades and are fundamentally involved in regulating protein kinases responsible for cytoskeletal dynamics and remodeling (Goll, D. E. et al., Physiological Reviews 2003, 83, 731-801; Perlmutter, L. S. et al., Synapse 1988, 2, 79-88; Veeranna et al., Am J Pathol 2004, 165, 795-805; Shea, T. B. J Neurosci Res 1997, 48, 543-50; each herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). Under physiological conditions, transient and localized Ca²⁺ fluxes from extracellular or intracellular calcium stores result in controlled activation of local calpain populations (FIG. 1). Once activated, calpains are tightly regulated by a selective 47 kDa endogenous peptidyl inhibitor, calpastatin (CAPN) (Goll, D. E. et al., Physiological Reviews 2003, 83, 731-801: Hanna, R. A. et al., Nature 2008, 456, 409-412; Takashi, M. Trends in Biochemical Sciences 1983, 8, 167-169; each herein incorporated by reference in its entirety).

While regional calpain proteolytic activity is essential for native Ca²⁺ signaling and cytoskeletal remodeling, pathological conditions may produce excessive levels of Ca²⁺, resulting in widespread calpain activation and unregulated proteolysis leading to exacerbation of pathological conditions (Di Rosa, G. et al., J Mol Neurosci 2002, 19, 135-41; Huang, Y. et al., Trends in Molecular Medicine 2001, 7, 355-362; each herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). Calpain proteolytic activity contributes to secondary degeneration in situations of acute cellular stress following myocardial ischemia, cerebral ischemia, and traumatic brain injury (Saatman, K. et al., Neurotherapeutics 2010, 7, 31-42; Hong, S. C. et al., Stroke 1994, 25, 663-9; Yamashima, T. Cell Calcium 2004, 36, 285-293; Pike, B. R. et al., J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2004, 24, 98-106; each herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). Furthermore, calpain hyperactivation has been suggested to be a primary contributor in a wide range of pathological states associated with altered Ca²⁺ homeostasis, including: Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease (PD), cataract formation, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis (MS); and Alzheimer's disease (AD) (Di Rosa, G. et al., J Mol Neurosci 2002, 19, 135-41; Shields, D. C. et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 1999, 96, 11486-11491; Dufty, B. M. et al., The American Journal of Pathology 2007, 170, 1725-1738; Vosler, P. et al., Molecular Neurobiology 2008, 38, 78-100; Robertson, L. J. G. et al., Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 2005, 46, 4634-4640; Robertson, L. J. G. et al., Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2004, 45, 2653-B288; Govindarajan, B. et al., CNS Neurological Disorders—Drug Targets (Formerly Current Drug Targets—CNS & Neurological Disorders) 2008, 7, 295-304; each herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). Enhanced calpain activity in platelets is a contributor to atherothromobosis and diabetes pathology (Randriamboavonjy, V. et al., Vascul Pharmacol 2012, 56, 210-5; Randriamboavonjy, V. et al., Blood 2012, 120, 415-23; each herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). Direct blockade of calpain proteolytic activity has been shown to rescue neurons from glutamate excitotoxicity. Calpain hyperactivation is involved in downregulating phosphorylation of the memory related transcription fractor CREB, resulting in weakened synaptic transmission and cognition impairment. In this context, a selective and potent calpain inhibitor may hold therapeutic potential for a range of disease states.

Attempts to develop calpain inhibitors have been cataloged previously (Donkor, I. O., Current Medicinal Chemistry 2000, 7, 1171; herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). The structural nomenclature of cysteine protease substrates and inhibitors is introduced in FIG. 2. The majority of reported calpain inhibitors rely upon the ability of an electrophilic reactive group, or “warhead”, to either reversibly or irreversibly modify the active site cysteine of calpain. A natural product, E-64, L-trans-epoxysuccinyl-leucylamido(4-guanidino)butane (FIG. 2), was an early identified cysteine protease inhibitor, utilizing an epoxide for active site modification (Parkes, C. et al., Biochem. J. 1985, 230, 509-516; Sugita, H. et al., Journal of Biochemistry 1980, 87, 339-341; each herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). While being non-reactive towards other protease super-families (i.e. aspartic, serine, etc.), E-64 serves as a high affinity, non-selective, irreversible calpain inhibitor with poor bioavailability (K. Hanada, M. T. et al., Agricultural and Biological Chemistry 1978, 42, 523-528; Barrett, A. J. et al., Biochem. J, 1982, 201, 189-198; each herein incorporated by reference in its entirety).

CA clan cysteine proteases (i.e. papain, calpains, and lysosomal cathepsins) have similar P1-P3 substrate binding pockets, which results in a common preference for hydrophobic residues at the S2 subsite (i.e. Leu, Ile, Val, Phe, Tyr) (Greenbaum, D. et al., Chem Biol 2000, 7, 569-81; Greenbaum, D. C. et al., Chemistry & Biology 2002, 9, 1085-1094; each herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). It has been suggested that inhibitors containing S,S epoxide stereochemistry bind preferentially into the P1-P3 pocket of CA clan proteases (Mladenovic, M. et al., The Journal of Physical Chemistry B 2008, 112, 11798-11808; Otto, H. H. et al., Chem Rev 1997, 97, 133-172; each herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). Accordingly, E-64 and related S,S epoxides containing hydrophobic residues at the P2 position have shown poor selectivity and high potency for these proteases. Recent efforts examined an array of P4-P3-P2-epoxysuccinate peptides for inhibitory activity against CA clan cysteine proteases, including: Cal1, Cal1_(cat) (calpain-1 catalytic domain), the lysosomal cysteine protease cathepsin (Cath), and papain (Cuerrier, D. et al., J Biol Chem 2007, 282, 9600-11; herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). While these peptides possessed poor drug like properties, their activity profiles give valuable insight into the design and development of novel selective calpain inhibitors using peptidomimetic epoxides. Herein, we describe the development of such potent, selective, calpain inhibitors. Three successive generations of inhibitors were synthesized using computationally assisted design and Cal1 inhibition data. Modification of the active site cysteine was confirmed using LC-MS/MS and the relative selectivity assessed: i) against CathB using a novel biotinylated probe; and ii) against papain using an enzyme kinetics analysis.

The epoxysuccinate moiety of E-64 is considered to be essential for potent cysteine protease inhibition. Alternatives to the epoxide warhead, such as alkene and aziridine analogs, possess weak inhibitory activity (Parkes, C. et al., Biochem. J. 1985, 230, 509-516; Schirmeister, T. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 1999, 42, 560-572; each herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). Despite concerns regarding potential ADMET complications stemming from incorporation of the epoxysuccinate moiety, E-64 and derivatives have been approved for clinical studies (Miyahara, T. et al., Rinsho Yakuri 1985, 16, 537-546; Satoyashi, E. Intern. Med. 1992, 31, 841-846; Scrip. 3992, 1765; each herein incorporated by reference in its entirety), and there are multiple reports of in vivo efficacy and safety by E-64 and related epoxysuccinate analogs in mice (M. Tamai, K. M. et al., J. Pharmacobiodyn. 1986, 9, 672-677; Towatari, T, et al., FEBS Letters 1991, 280, 311-15; Hook, G. et al., Biol Chem 2007, 388, 979-83; Masaharu Tamai, S. O. et al., Journal of Pharmacobio-Dynamics 1987, 10, 678-681; each herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). Retention of the epoxysuccinate group also facilitates the design of activity-based probes to identity off-target proteins that may contribute to efficacy. Given these considerations, we chose to retain the epoxysuccinate moiety and focused optimization efforts on modifying and evaluating two main portions of the peptidomimetic scaffold: 1) the P3/P4 cap group, and 2) the P2 site that is occupied by a L-leucine in E-64 (FIG. 2).

In one aspect, the invention is directed to a class of epoxide derivatives of formula (I).

In some embodiments of formula (I), R¹ is —CO₂H or CO₂(C₁-C₄)-alkyl;

R² is hydrogen or —(C₁-C₄)alkyl;

R³ is

R⁴ is —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, —(CH₂)-heteroaryl wherein said heteroaryl is optionally substituted with one or more —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl groups, or R⁴ along with the carbon atom to which it is attached forms a —(C₄-C₈)-cycloalkyl ring;

R⁵ is —(C₁-C₆)-alkyl-R⁶, —(C₂-C₅)-alkenyl, —(C₂-C₅)-alkynyl, —CH₂)_(n)-aryl, or —(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl, wherein said aryl or heteroaryl are substituted with one or more R⁷ groups;

R⁶ is —N(R¹⁰)C(O)R⁸ or —N(R¹⁰)S(O)₂R⁸;

R⁷ is independently halogen, —(C₁-C₃)-alkyl, aryl, methylenedioxyphenyl, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, wherein said aryl is optionally substituted with one or more R⁹ groups;

R⁸ is —(C₁-C₆)-alkyl-R¹¹ or aryl, wherein aryl is optionally substituted with one or more R⁹ groups;

R⁹ is independently hydrogen, halogen, —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, —(C₁-C₄)-haloalkyl, —(C₂-C₄)-alkynyl, CN, NO₂, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or

R¹⁰ is independently hydrogen or —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl;

R¹¹ is hydrogen or

n is an integer from 0-4; and

p is an integer from 0-3.

In some embodiments, the compound of formula (I) is a compound of formula (I-a),

wherein,

R¹ is —CO₂H or CO₂(C₁-C₄)-alkyl;

R² is hydrogen or —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl;

R⁴ is —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, —(CH₂)-heteroaryl, wherein said heteroaryl is optionally substituted with one or more —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl groups, or R⁴ along with the carbon atom to which it is attached forms a —(C₄-C₈)-cycloalkyl ring;

R⁵ is —(C₁-C₆)-alkyl-R⁶, —(C₂-C₅)-alkenyl, —(C₂-C₅)alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(n)-aryl, or (CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl, wherein said aryl or heteroaryl are substituted with one or more R⁷ groups;

R⁶ is —N(R¹⁰)C(O)R⁸ or —N(R¹⁰)S(O)₂R⁸;

R⁷ is independently halogen, —(C₁-C₃)-alkyl, aryl, methylenedioxyphenyl, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, wherein said aryl is optionally substituted with one or more R groups;

R⁸ is —(C₁-C₆)-alkyl-R¹¹ or aryl, wherein aryl is optionally substituted with one or more R⁹ groups;

R⁹ is independently hydrogen, halogen, —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, —(C₁-C₄)-haloalkyl, —(C₂-C₄)— alkynyl, CN, NO₂, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or

R¹⁰ is independently hydrogen or —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl;

R¹¹ is hydrogen or

n is an integer from 0-4; and

p is an integer from 0-3.

Abbreviations and Definitions

The term “compound of the invention” as used herein means a compound of formula (I) or any subgenus or species thereof. The term is also intended to encompass salts, hydrates, and solvates thereof.

The term “composition(s) of the invention” as used herein means compositions comprising a compound of the invention. The compositions of the invention may further comprise other agents such as, for example, carriers, excipients, stabilants, lubricants, solvents, and the like.

A “pharmaceutical composition” refers to a mixture of one or more of the compounds of the invention with other chemical components, such as physiologically acceptable carriers and excipients. The purpose of a pharmaceutical composition is to facilitate administration of a compound to an organism or subject.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” is intended to include salts derived from inorganic or organic acids including, for example hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuric, nitric, perchloric, phosphoric, formic, acetic, lactic, maleic, fumaric, succinic, tartaric, glycolic, salicylic, citric, methanesulfonic, benzenesulfonic, benzoic, malonic, trifluoroacetic, trichloroacetic, naphthalene-2 sulfonic and other acids; and salts derived from inorganic or organic bases including, for example sodium, potassium, calcium, ammonium or tetrafluoroborate. Exemplary pharmaceutically acceptable salts are found, for example, in Berge, et al. (J. Pharm. Sci. 1977, 66(1), 1; hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety).

As used herein the term “about” is used herein to mean approximately, roughly, around, or in the region of. When the term “about” is used in conjunction with a numerical range, it modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth. In general, the term “about” is used herein to modify a numerical value above and below the stated value by a variance of 20 percent up or down (higher or lower).

The term “carrier” refers to a diluent, adjuvant, excipient, or vehicle with which a compound is administered. Non-limiting examples of such pharmaceutical carriers include liquids, such as water and oils, including those of petroleum, animal, vegetable or synthetic origin, such as peanut oil, soybean oil, mineral oil, sesame oil and the like. The pharmaceutical carriers may also be saline, gum acacia, gelatin, starch paste, talc, keratin, colloidal silica, urea, and the like. In addition, auxiliary, stabilizing, thickening, lubricating and coloring agents may be used. Other examples of suitable pharmaceutical carriers are described in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (Alfonso Gennaro ed., Krieger Publishing Company (1997); Remington's: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 21^(st) Ed. (Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins (2005); Modern Pharmaceutics, vol. 121 (Gilbert Banker and Christopher Rhodes, CRC Press (2002); each of which hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety).

In some embodiments, R¹ is —CO₂H or —CO₂(C₁-C₄)-alkyl. In some embodiments, R¹ is —CO₂H or —CO₂(C₁-C₂)-alkyl. In some embodiments, R¹ is —CO₂H.

In some embodiments, R² is hydrogen or —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl. In some embodiments, R² is hydrogen or —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl. In some embodiments, R² is hydrogen or methyl. In some embodiments, R² is hydrogen.

In some embodiments, R³ is hydrogen, —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl-aryl-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl-OR¹⁰, or

In some embodiments, R³ is hydrogen, —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, or

In some embodiments, R³ is hydrogen, —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl, or

In some embodiments, R³ is

In some embodiments, R⁴ is —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, —(CH₂)-heteroaryl, wherein said heteroaryl is optionally substituted with one or more —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl groups, or R⁴ along with the carbon atom to which it is attached forms a —(C₄-C₈)-cycloalkyl ring. In some embodiments, R⁴ is —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, —(CH₂)-heteroaryl, wherein said heteroaryl is optionally substituted with one or more —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl groups. In some embodiments, R⁴ is —(C₂-C₄)-alkyl, —(CH₂)-heteroaryl, wherein said heteroaryl is optionally substituted with one or more —(C₁-C₂)alkyl groups. In some embodiments, R⁴ is —CH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —(CH₂)-thiazolyl, —(CH₂)-imidazolyl, wherein said thiazolyl or imidazolyl is optionally substituted with one or more —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl groups. In some embodiments, R⁴ is CH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —(CH₂)-thiazolyl, —(CH₂)-imidazolyl, wherein said thiazolyl or imidazolyl is optionally substituted with one or more —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl groups. In some embodiments, R⁴ is —(CH₂)-thiazolyl, —(CH₂)-imidazolyl, wherein said imidazolyl is optionally substituted with a methyl group. In some embodiments, R⁴ is

In some embodiments, R⁴ is

In some embodiments, R⁴ is

In some embodiments, R⁴ is

In some embodiments, R⁴ is

In some embodiments, R⁴ is

In some embodiments, R⁴ is

In some embodiments, R⁵ is —(C₁-C₆)-alkyl-R⁶, —(C₂-C₅)-alkenyl, —(C₂-C₅)-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(n)-aryl, or —(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl, wherein said aryl or heteroaryl are optionally substituted with one or more R⁷ groups. In some embodiments, R⁵ is —(C₁-C₆)-alkyl-R⁶, —(C₂-C₅)-alkenyl, —(C₂-C₅)-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(n)-aryl, or —(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl, wherein said aryl or heteroaryl are substituted with one or more R⁷ groups. In some embodiments, R⁵ is —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl-R⁶, —(CH₂)_(n)-aryl, or —(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl, wherein said aryl or heteroaryl are substituted with one or more R⁷ groups. In some embodiments, R⁵ is —(CH₂)_(n)-aryl, or —(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl, wherein said aryl or heteroaryl are substituted with one or more R⁷ groups. In some embodiments, R⁵ is —(CH₂)_(n)-phenyl, or —(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl, wherein said phenyl or heteroaryl are substituted with one or more R⁷ groups. In some embodiments, R⁵ is thiazolyl or —(CH₂)-triazolyl, wherein said thiazolyl or triazolyl are substituted with an R⁷ group. In some embodiments, R⁵ is

In some embodiments, R⁵ is

In some embodiments, R⁵ is

In some embodiments, R⁶ is —N(R¹⁰)C(O)R⁸, —N(R¹⁰)S(O)₂R⁸, —N(R¹⁰)C(NH)N(R¹⁰)₂. In some embodiments, R⁶ is —N(R¹⁰)C(O)R⁸. In some embodiments, R⁶ is —N(R¹⁰)S(O)₂R⁸.

In some embodiments, R⁷ is independently halogen, —(C₁-C₃)-alkyl, aryl, methylenedioxyphenyl, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, wherein said aryl is optionally substituted with one or more R⁹ groups. In some embodiments, R⁷ is independently halogen, —(C₁-C₃)-alkyl, phenyl, methylenedioxyphenyl, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, wherein said phenyl is optionally substituted with one or more R⁹ groups. In some embodiments, R⁷ is phenyl optionally substituted with one or more R⁹ groups.

In some embodiments, R⁸ is —(C₁-C₆)-alkyl-R¹¹ or aryl, wherein aryl is optionally substituted with one or more R⁹ groups. In some embodiments, R⁸ is —(C₁-C₆)-alkyl-R¹¹ or phenyl, wherein phenyl is optionally substituted with one or more R⁹ groups.

In some embodiments, R⁹ is independently hydrogen, halogen, —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, —(C₁-C₄)-haloalkyl, —(C₂-C₄)-alkynyl, CN, NO₂, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or

In some embodiments, R⁹ is independently hydrogen, halogen, —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl, —(C₁-C₂)-haloalkyl, —(C₂-C₄)-alkynyl, CN, NO₂, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or

In some embodiments, R⁹ is independently halogen, —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl, —(C₁-C₂)-haloalkyl, —(C₂-C₄)-alkynyl, CN, NO₂, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or

In some embodiments, R⁹ is independently halogen, —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl, —(C₁-C₂)-haloalkyl, —(C₂-C₄)-alkynyl, NO₂, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or

In some embodiments, R⁹ is independently halogen, —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl, —(C₁-C₂)-haloalkyl, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or

In some embodiments, R⁹ is independently halogen, methyl, halomethyl, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or

In some embodiments, R⁹ is independently F, Br, Cl, methyl, trifluoromethyl, —S(O)₂NH₂, or

In some embodiments, R⁹ is independently F, Br, Cl, methyl, trifluoromethyl, or

In some embodiments, R⁹ is independently F, Br, Cl, methyl, or trifluoromethyl. In some embodiments, R⁹ is independently F, Br, Cl, or trifluoromethyl. In some embodiments, R⁹ is halogen. In some embodiments, R⁹ is independently F, Br, or Cl. In some embodiments, R⁹ is independently F or Br. In some embodiments, R⁹ is F.

In some embodiments, R¹⁰ is independently hydrogen or —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl. In some embodiments, R¹⁰ is independently hydrogen or —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl. In some embodiments, R¹⁰ is independently hydrogen or methyl. In some embodiments, R¹⁰ is hydrogen. In some embodiments, R¹⁰ is methyl.

In some embodiments, R¹¹ is hydrogen or

In some embodiments, R¹¹ is hydrogen. In some embodiments, R¹¹ is

In some embodiments, n is an integer from 0-4. In some embodiments, n is an integer from 0-3. In some embodiments, n is an integer from 0-2. In some embodiments, n is 0 or 1. In some embodiments, n is an integer from 1-4. In some embodiments, n is an integer from 1-3. In some embodiments, n is 0. In some embodiments, n is 1. In some embodiments, n is 2.

In some embodiments, p is an integer from 0-3. In some embodiments, p is an integer from 0-2. In some embodiments, p is 0 or 1. In some embodiments, p is 0. In some embodiments, p is 1.

In some embodiments, the compounds are of the (S)-configuration at the carbon atom to which R⁴ is attached. In some embodiments, the compounds are of the (R)-configuration at the carbon atom to which R⁴ is attached.

In some embodiments, the compounds are of the (S,S)-configuration at the epoxide. In some embodiments, the compounds are of the (R,R)-configuration at the epoxide.

In some embodiments,

-   -   R¹ is CO₂H or —CO₂(C₁-C₄)-alkyl;     -   R² is hydrogen or —(C₁-C₄)alkyl;     -   R⁴ is —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, —(CH₂)-heteroaryl, wherein said heteroaryl         is optionally substituted with one or more —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl         groups;     -   R⁵ is —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl-R⁶, —(CH₂)_(n)-aryl, or         —(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl, wherein said aryl or heteroaryl are         substituted with one or more R⁷ groups;     -   R⁶ is —N(R¹⁰)C(O)R⁸ or —N(R¹⁰)S(O)₂R⁸;     -   R⁷ is independently halogen, —(C₁-C₃)-alkyl, aryl,         methylenedioxyphenyl, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, wherein         said aryl is optionally substituted with one or more R⁹ groups;     -   R⁸ is —(C₁-C₆)-alkyl-R¹¹ or aryl, wherein aryl is optionally         substituted with one or more R⁹ groups;     -   R⁹ is independently hydrogen, halogen, —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl,         —(C₁-C₂)-haloalkyl, —(C₂-C₄)-alkynyl, CN, NO₂, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or

-   -   R¹⁰ is independently hydrogen or —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl;     -   R¹¹ is hydrogen or

-   -   n is an integer from 0-2; and     -   p is an integer from 0-1.

In some embodiments,

-   -   R¹ is —CO₂H or —CO₂(C₁-C₄)-alkyl;     -   R² is hydrogen or —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl;     -   R⁴ is (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, —(CH₂)-thiazolyl, (CH₂)-imidazolyl, wherein         said thiazolyl or imidazolyl is optionally substituted with one         or more —(C₁-C₂)alkyl groups;     -   R⁵ is —(CH₂)_(n)-aryl, or —(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl, wherein said         aryl or heteroaryl are substituted with one or more R⁷ groups;     -   R⁷ is independently halogen, —(C₁-C₃)-alkyl, aryl,         methylenedioxyphenyl, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, wherein         said aryl is optionally substituted with one or more R⁹ groups;     -   R⁹ is independently hydrogen, halogen, —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl,         —(C₁-C₂)-haloalkyl, —(C₂-C₄)-alkynyl, CN, NO₂, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or

-   -   R¹⁰ is independently hydrogen or —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl;     -   n is an integer from 0-2; and     -   p is an integer from 0-1.

In some embodiments,

-   -   R¹ is —CO₂H or —CO₂(C₁-C₂)-alkyl;     -   R² is hydrogen or —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl;     -   R⁴ is —CH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —(CH₂)-thiazolyl, —(CH₂)-imidazolyl, wherein         said thiazolyl or imidazolyl is optionally substituted with one         or more —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl groups;     -   R⁵ is —(CH₂)_(n)-phenyl or —(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl, wherein said         phenyl or heteroaryl are substituted with one or more R⁷ groups;     -   R⁷ is independently halogen, —(C₁-C₃)-alkyl phenyl,         methylenedioxyphenyl, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, wherein         said phenyl is optionally substituted with one or more R⁹         groups;     -   R⁹ is independently hydrogen, halogen, —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl,         —(C₁-C₂)-haloalkyl, —(C₂-C₄)-alkynyl, CN, NO₂, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or

-   -   R¹⁰ is independently hydrogen or —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl;     -   n is an integer from 0-2; and     -   p is an integer from 0-1.

In some embodiments,

-   -   R¹ is —CO₂H or —CO₂(C₁-C₂)-alkyl;     -   R² is hydrogen or —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl;     -   R⁴ is —CH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —(CH₂)-thiazolyl, —(CH₂)-imidazolyl, wherein         said thiazolyl or imidazolyl is optionally substituted with one         or more —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl groups;     -   R⁵ is thiazolyl or —(CH₂)-triazolyl, wherein said thiazolyl or         imidazolyl are substituted with an R⁷ group;     -   R⁷ is phenyl optionally substituted with one or more R⁹ groups;     -   R⁹ is independently halogen, —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl, —(C₁-C₂)-haloalkyl,         —(C₂-C₄)-alkynyl, CN, NO₂, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or

-   -   R¹⁰ is independently hydrogen or —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl; and     -   p is an integer from 0-1.

In some embodiments,

-   -   R¹ is —CO₂H or —CO₂(C₁-C₂)-alkyl;     -   R² is hydrogen or —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl;     -   R⁴ is —(CH₂)-thiazolyl, —(CH₂)-imidazolyl, wherein said         imidazolyl is optionally substituted with a methyl group;     -   R⁵ is thiazolyl or —(CH₂)-triazolyl, wherein said thiazolyl or         triazolyl are substituted with an R⁷ group;     -   R⁷ is phenyl optionally substituted with one or more R⁹ groups;     -   R⁹ is independently halogen, —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl, —(C₁-C₂)-haloalkyl,         —(C₂-C₄)-alkynyl, CN, NO₂, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or

-   -   R¹⁰ is independently hydrogen or methyl; and     -   p is an integer from 0-1.

In some embodiments,

-   -   R¹ is —CO₂H or —CO₂(C₁-C₂)-alkyl;     -   R² is hydrogen;     -   R⁴ is

-   -   R⁵ is

-   -   R⁷ is phenyl optionally substituted with one or more R⁹ groups;     -   R⁹ is independently halogen, —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl, —(C₁-C₂)-haloalkyl,         —(C₂-C₃)-alkynyl, NO₂, —S(O)₂NH₂, or

and

-   -   p is an integer from 0-1.

In some embodiments, the compound is selected from

-   (2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-(2,6-difluorophenylamino)-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic     acid; -   (2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-ylamino)-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic     acid; -   (2R,3R)-3-((S)-1-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-ylamino)-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic     acid; -   (2S,3S)-3-(1-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-ylamino)-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic     acid; -   (2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-ylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic     acid; -   (2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-(4-(4-ethynylphenyl)thiazol-2-ylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic     acid; -   (2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-(4-(4-fluorophenyl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-3-(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic     acid; -   (2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-((1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic     acid; and -   (2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-((1-(4-bromophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic     acid.

In some embodiments, the compound is selected from

-   (2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-(2,6-difluorophenylamino)-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic     acid; -   (2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-ylamino)-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic     acid; -   (2S,3S)-3-(1-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-ylamino)-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic     acid; -   (2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-ylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic     acid; -   (2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-(4-(4-ethynylphenyl)thiazol-2-ylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic     acid; -   (2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-((1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic     acid; and -   (2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-((1-(4-bromophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic     acid.

In some embodiments, the compound is selected from

-   (2S,3S)-3-(1-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-ylamino)-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic     acid; -   (2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-ylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic     acid; -   (2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-((1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic     acid; and -   (2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-((1-(4-bromophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic     acid.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to compositions comprising a compound of formula (I) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of treating disease in a subject comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I). In some embodiments, the disease is characterized by calpain hyperactivation. In some embodiments, the disease is cataract formation, glaucoma, atherothrombosis or diabetes. In some embodiments, the disease is a neurological disorder. In some embodiments, the disease is a neurodegenerative disease. In some embodiments, the neurodegenerative disease is Huntington's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, multiple sclerosis or Alzheimer's Disease. In some embodiments, the disease is Alzheimer's Disease.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of treating neurodegenerative disease in a subject comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a compound of formula (I). In some embodiments, the disease is Alzheimer's Disease.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of increasing long-term potentiation in a subject comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I). In some embodiments, the subject has a neurodegenerative disease. In some embodiments, the neurodegenerative disease is Alzheimer's Disease.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of increasing long-term potentiation in a subject comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a compound of formula (I). In some embodiments, the subject has a neurodegenerative disease. In some embodiments, the neurodegenerative disease is Alzheimer's Disease.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of improving memory in a subject comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I). In some embodiments, the subject has a neurodegenerative disease. In some embodiments, the neurodegenerative disease is Alzheimer's Disease.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of improving memory in a subject comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a compound of formula (I). In some embodiments, the subject has a neurodegenerative disease. In some embodiments, the neurodegenerative disease is Alzheimer's Disease.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of improving synaptic function in a subject comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I). In some embodiments, synaptic function comprises synaptic plasticity. In some embodiments, synaptic plasticity comprises learning, memory, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, synaptic plasticity comprises long term potentiation (LTP). In some embodiments, the subject has a neurodegenerative disease. In some embodiments, the neurodegenerative disease is Alzheimer's Disease.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of improving synaptic function in a subject comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a compound of formula (I). In some embodiments, synaptic function comprises synaptic plasticity. In some embodiments, synaptic plasticity comprises learning, memory, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, synaptic plasticity comprises long term potentiation (LTP). In some embodiments, the subject has a neurodegenerative disease. In some embodiments, the neurodegenerative disease is Alzheimer's Disease.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method for increasing memory retention in a subject afflicted with a neurodegenerative disease, the method comprising administering to a subject a therapeutic amount of a compound of formula (I) or a composition comprising a compound of formula (I).

In some embodiments, a compound of formula (I) is administered. In some embodiments, a composition comprising a compound of formula (I) is administered.

Exemplary neurodegenerative diseases and methods of treatment therefor are also described in WO 2010/074783, WO2011/072243, and WO2012/088420, each herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Compounds of formula (I) can be incorporated into pharmaceutical compositions suitable for administration. Such compositions can comprise a compound of formula (I) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Thus, in some embodiments, the compounds of the invention are present in a pharmaceutical composition.

According to the invention, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier can comprise any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the like, compatible with pharmaceutical administration. The use of such media and agents for pharmaceutically active substances is well known in the art. Any conventional media or agent that is compatible with the active compound can be used. Supplementary active compounds can also be incorporated into the compositions.

Any of the therapeutic applications described herein can be applied to any subject in need of such therapy, including, for example, a mammal such as a mouse, a rat, a dog, a cat, a cow, a horse, a rabbit, a monkey, a pig, a sheep, a goat, or a human. In some embodiments, the subject is a mouse, rat or human. In some embodiments, the subject is a mouse. In some embodiments, the subject is a rat. In some embodiments, the subject is a human.

A pharmaceutical composition of the invention is formulated to be compatible with its intended route of administration. Examples of routes of administration include parenteral, e.g., intravenous, intradermal, subcutaneous, oral (e.g., inhalation), transdermal (topical), transmucosal, and rectal administration. Solutions or suspensions used for parenteral, intradermal, or subcutaneous application can include the following components: a sterile diluent such as water for injection, saline solution, fixed oils, polyethylene glycols, glycerine, propylene glycol or other synthetic solvents; antibacterial agents such as benzyl alcohol or methyl parabens; antioxidants such as ascorbic acid or sodium bisulfite; chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; buffers such as acetates, citrates or phosphates and agents for the adjustment of tonicity such as sodium chloride or dextrose. pH can be adjusted with acids or bases, such as hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide. The parenteral preparation can be enclosed in ampoules, disposable syringes or multiple dose vials made of glass or plastic.

Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for injectable use include sterile aqueous solutions (where water soluble) or dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersions. For intravenous administration, suitable carriers include physiological saline, bacteriostatic water, Cremophor EM™ (BASF, Parsippany, N.J.) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS). In all cases, the composition must be sterile and should be fluid to the extent that easy syringability exists, it must be stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage and must be preserved against the contaminating action of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The carrier can be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol, a pharmaceutically acceptable polyol like glycerol, propylene glycol, liquid polyethylene glycol, and suitable mixtures thereof. The proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of a coating such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersion and by the use of surfactants. Prevention of the action of microorganisms can be achieved by various antibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, parabens, chlorobutanol, phenol, ascorbic acid, and thimerosal. In many cases, it can be useful to include isotonic agents, for example, sugars, polyalcohols such as mannitol, sorbitol, sodium chloride in the composition. Prolonged absorption of the injectable compositions can be brought about by including in the composition an agent which delays absorption, for example, aluminum monostearate and gelatin.

Sterile injectable solutions can be prepared by incorporating the compound in the required amount in an appropriate solvent with one or a combination of ingredients enumerated herein, as required, followed by filtered sterilization. Generally, dispersions are prepared by incorporating the active compound into a sterile vehicle which contains a basic dispersion medium and the required other ingredients from those enumerated herein. In the case of sterile powders for the preparation of sterile injectable solutions, examples of useful preparation methods are vacuum drying and freeze-drying which yields a powder of the active ingredient plus any additional desired ingredient from a previously sterile-filtered solution thereof.

Oral compositions generally include an inert diluent or an edible carrier. They can be enclosed in gelatin capsules or compressed into tablets. For the purpose of oral therapeutic administration, the active compound can be incorporated with excipients and used in the form of tablets, troches, or capsules. Oral compositions can also be prepared using a fluid carrier for use as a mouthwash, wherein the compound in the fluid carrier is applied orally and swished and expectorated or swallowed.

Pharmaceutically compatible binding agents, and/or adjuvant materials can be included as part of the composition. The tablets, pills, capsules, troches and the like can contain any of the following ingredients, or compounds of a similar nature: a binder such as microcrystalline cellulose, gum tragacanth or gelatin; an excipient such as starch or lactose, a disintegrating agent such as alginic acid, Primogel, or corn starch; a lubricant such as magnesium stearate or sterotes; a glidant such as colloidal silicon dioxide; a sweetening agent such as sucrose or saccharin; or a flavoring agent such as peppermint, methyl salicylate, or orange flavoring.

Systemic administration can also be by transmucosal or transdermal means. For transmucosal or transdermal administration, penetrants appropriate to the barrier to be permeated are used in the formulation. Such penetrants are generally known in the art, and include, for example, for transmucosal administration, detergents, bile salts, and fusidic acid derivatives. Transmucosal administration can be accomplished through the use of nasal sprays or suppositories. For transdermal administration, the active compounds are formulated into ointments, salves, gels, or creams as generally known in the art.

Epoxide based cysteine protease inhibitors are synthesized by methods within the purview of the ordinarily skilled artisan. Exemplary methods by which such derivatives can be synthesized are as follows. Generation of a library of peptidomimetic epoxides possessing either natural or non-natural peptidomimetic residues at the P2 position, designated the R₁ substituent, and varying the P3/P4 cap groups, designated as R₂ in Scheme 1.

Initially, the R₂-amines (A) can be coupled to the commercially available protected (PG denotes protecting group) amino acids (B) following typical peptide coupling procedures using, exemplary coupling reagents such as HOBT and EDCI, or in the presence of CDI to give the corresponding protected peptidomimetic scaffolds (C) (Scheme 1). The epoxysuccinates D can be synthesized in 3 steps starting from either L-DET or D-DET following published procedures (Saito, S. et al., Organic Syntheses 1996, 73, 184; herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). Following removal of the protecting group, the appropriate peptidomimetic scaffold can be coupled to epoxysuccinates D using coupling reagents such as, for example, EDCI and HOBT to give the corresponding epoxide esters (E). Ester saponification using, for example a base such as LiOH, provides the analogous epoxy acids F.

An alternative convergent synthesis can also be employed wherein the epoxide functionality is incorporated after derivatization, although a divergent synthetic approach is preferred for library development during lead optimization (Scheme 2). An exemplary convergent route entails synthesis of G by conventional means, followed by installation of epoxides D and ultimate conversion to compounds F. A divergent approach has also been developed wherein a key intermediate such as G′ is used to develop a library of compounds F′.

Dipolar cycloaddition reactions such as the copper catalyzed Huisgen cycloaddition, a.k.a. “click chemistry”, have received much attention in the past decade due to low cross-reactivity with other functional groups, making it a useful tool for the generation of a library of epoxide compounds of the invention. For example, a key alkynyl intermediate such as G′ can be functionalized with azides using a copper catalyzed Huisgen cycloaddition (Scheme 3), with the aid of TBTA to give the corresponding triazole-epoxyesters H, followed by saponification to provide F′.

In some embodiments, the compound of the invention are selected from the following:

In some embodiments, the compounds of the invention exhibit inhibition of a cysteine protease with an IC50 less than about 1 μM. In some embodiments, the IC50 is less than about 500 nM. In some embodiments, the IC50 is less than about 250 nM, less than about 100 nM, less than about 50 nM, less than about 25 nM, less than about 10 nM, less than about 5 nM, or less than about 1 nM.

In some embodiments, the compounds of formula (I) are selective inhibitors of cysteine proteases. In some embodiments, the compounds inhibit calpain.

It will recognized that one or more features of any embodiments disclosed herein may be combined and/or rearranged within the scope of the invention to produce further embodiments that are also within the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.

The invention is further described by the following non-limiting Examples.

EXAMPLES

Examples are provided below to facilitate a more complete understanding of the invention. The following examples illustrate the exemplary modes of making and practicing the invention. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to specific embodiments disclosed in these Examples, which are illustrative only, since alternative methods can be utilized to obtain similar results.

Example 1 Selection of Epoxides

Several novel compounds were initially synthesized and observed to be stable towards reaction with free thiols and to provide Cal 1 inhibitors with sub-micromolar potency. A set of 45 epoxides was synthesized and assayed for inhibition of Cal1 (to select compounds with an IC₅₀<100 nM). The primary goal at this stage was to provide training set data for parameterization and correlation of computational methods. The P2 recognition group is important for the selectivity towards Cal1 vs. CathB. Therefore, modifications in the P3 recognition group were used to permit diversification. As a final refinement of the 3^(rd) a generation of inhibitors, a synthesis was developed to allow diversification of the P3 recognition group using click chemistry. Several compounds were screened in silico using a combination of docking scores to multiple Cal1 crystal structures and a geometric parameter associated with the transition state for covalent modification. This QSAR analysis gave Nsig values, from which inhibitors were selected for synthesis and enzyme assay. Compounds predicted to be poor inhibitors yielded high IC₅₀ values, whereas 4 of the 5 compounds with high Nsig values were sub-micromolar inhibitors.

Example 2 Synthetic Methods

Unless stated otherwise, all reactions were carried out under an atmosphere of dry argon in oven-dried glassware. Indicated reaction temperatures refer to those of the reaction bath, while room temperature (rt) is noted as 25° C. Dichloromethane (CH₂Cl₂) was distilled over CaH₂, and THF distilled over Na(s). All other solvents were of anhydrous quality purchased from Aldrich Chemical Co. and used as received. Pure reaction products were typically dried under high vacuum in the presence of phosphorus pentoxide. Commercially available starting materials and reagents were purchased from Aldrich, TCI and Fisher Scientific and were used as received unless specified otherwise. Analytical thin layer chromatography (TLC) was performed with (5×20 cm, 60 Å, 250 μm). Visualization was accomplished using a 254 nm UV lamp. ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra were recorded on either a Broker Avance 400 MHz spectrometer or Bruker DPX 400 MHz spectrophotometer. Chemical shifts are reported in ppm with the solvent resonance as internal standard ([CDCl₃ 7.27 ppm, 77.23 ppm][DMSO-d₆ 2.5 ppm, 39.51 ppm] and [MeOD-d₄ 4.78, 49.0] for ¹H, ¹³C respectively). Data are reported as follows: chemical shift, multiplicity (s=singlet, d=doublet, dd=doublet of doublet, t=triplet, q=quartet, br=broad, m=multiplet, abq=ab quartet), number of protons, and coupling constants. Low-resolution mass spectra (LRMS) were acquired on an Agilent 6300 Ion-Trap LC/MS. High resolution mass spectral data was collected in-house using a Shimadzu QTOF 6500. Ail compounds submitted for biological testing were confirmed to be 95% pure by analytical HPLC.

Coupling of Arylamines to N-Protected Peptidomimetics.

A round bottom was charged with the appropriate Boc-protected carboxylic acid (1.0 eq) dissolved in minimal DMF (˜3 ml/mmol) under argon and maintained at 0° C. EDCI (1.2 eq) was then added in one portion and the suspension stirred until homogenous (typically <5 min), followed by the addition of HOBt (1.5 eq). After stirring for an additional 15 min, the amine (1.0 eq) in DMF (˜2 ml/mmol) was added dropwise, and the reaction allowed to warm to r.t., monitored by TLC. In instances when the amine remained on TLC after 8 h, reaction was again brought to 0° C. and additional EDCI (0.5 eq) was added, followed by stirring for an additional 4 h. Reaction was acidified to pH˜4 with 1 N HCl, extracted CH₂Cl₂ (3×). Combined organic extracts were washed with 1 N HCl (2×), and brine (1×), dried over Na₂SO₄, concentrated in vacuo, and purified by column chromatography to give the desired peptidomimetic scaffolds.

Epoxide Synthesis.

General Procedure for Large Scale Production of the Bromohydrin (2a & 2b).

HBr (33% in acetic acid, 175 ml, 970 mmol) was added dropwise to D-DET (50 g, 242 mmol) at 0° C. over 1 h, and the reaction allowed to warm to r.t. and stirred for 12 h (Scheme 4). The reaction mixture was then poured into ice (˜500 g), and the resulting aqueous layer extracted with Et₂O (4×200 ml). The combined organic extracts were then washed with H₂O (2×300 ml), brine (2×200 ml), dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting pale yellow oil was dissolved in anhydrous EtOH (300 mL) and acetyl chloride (8 ml, 242 mmol) was added dropwise. The solution was heated under gentle reflux for 7 h, cooled to r.t., and concentrated under reduced pressure to give yellow oil. The crude product was purified by under reduced pressure by fractional vacuum distillation to afford the desired bromohydrins as clear colorless oils (2a, 54.0 g, 99.1%; 2b, 51.2 g, 94.0%).

(2R,3R)-diethyl 2-bromo-3-hydroxysuccinate (2a)

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 4.73-4.72 (d, 1H, 4.0 Hz); 4.69-4.68 (bt, 1H); 4.34-4.24 (m, 4H); 3.43-3.41 (d, 1H, J=7.2 Hz); 1.35-1.31 (t, 6H, J=14.4 Hz). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): 170.27, 166.62, 72.51, 62.84, 62.62, 47.70, 14.03, 13.92.

(2S,3S)-diethyl 2-bromo-3-hydroxysuccinate (2b)

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 4.73-4.72 (d, 1H, 4.0 Hz); 4.69-4.68 (bt, 1H); 4.34-4.24 (m, 4H); 3.43-3.41 (d, 1H, J=7.2 Hz); 1.35-1.31 (t, 6H, J=14.4 Hz). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): 170.27, 166.62, 72.51, 62.84, 62.62, 47.70, 14.03, 13.92.

(2S,3S)-diethyl oxirane-2,3-dicarboxylate (3a)

2a (38.1 g, 142 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous Et₂O (100 ml) and DBU (32.3 g, 212.4 mmol, in Et₂O [50 ml]) was added dropwise at 0° C. for 1 h. The reaction was allowed to warm to r.t. and stirred for an additional 4 h. Reaction was quenched with cold 1N HCl to pH˜5. The resulting aqueous layer was extracted with Et₂O (3×150 ml). The combined organic extracts were washed with brine (2×100 ml), dried over Na₂SO₄, and concentrated to give the pure product as faintly yellow oil (21.5 g, 80.7% yield). Product purity typically reflects that of the bromohydrin starting material. If necessary, fractional vacuum distillation can be used for purification. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 4.36-4.22 (m, 4H); 3.67 (s, 2H); 1.35-1.31 (t, 6H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): 166.75, 62.21, 52.01, 14.01.

(2R,3R)-diethyl oxirane-2,3-dicarboxylate (3b)

Followed general procedure for 3a using the following quantities: 2b (34.6 g, 129 mmol): Et₂O (100 ml); DBU (29.4 g, 193 mmol, in Et₂O [50 ml]); yielded 3b as a colorless oil (18.1 g, 74.8%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 4.36-4.22 (m, 4H); 3.67 (s, 2H); 1.35-1.31 (t, 6H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): 166.75, 62.21, 52.01, 14.01.

(2S,3S)-3-(ethoxycarbonyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (4)

An ethanolic solution of KOH (4.2 g, 64 mmol, in EtOH [50 ml]) was added dropwise to the 3a (9.7 g, 63 mmol) in EtOH (20 ml) at 0° C. for 30 min, and then the reaction was continued at r.t. for 8 h. The resulting viscous solution was diluted with ice water (150 ml), extracted with EA (2×200 ml). The aqueous layer was acidified with 1N HCl to pH˜4, and extracted with EA (3×150 ml). Combined organic extracts washed with brine (2×50 ml), dried over Na₂SO₄, and concentrated to afford the pure epoxide monoester 4 as colorless oil (8.9 g, 86.9%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.57 (br, 1H); 4.35-4.24 (m, 2H); 3.73 (s, 1H); 3.72 (s, 1H); 1.36-1.32 (t, 3H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): 171.61, 166.40, 62.45, 52.20, 51.45, 13.89.

(2R,3R)-3-(ethoxycarbonyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (5)

Followed general procedure for 4 using the following quantities: 3b (15.2 g, 81 mmol): KOH (4.53 g, 81 mmol, in EtOH [50 ml]); yielded 5 as a colorless oil (9.5 g, 73.5%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.57 (br, 1H); 4.35-4.24 (m, 2H); 3.73 (s, 1H); 3.72 (s, 1H); 1.36-1.32 (t 3H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): 171.61, 166.40, 62.45, 52.20, 51.45, 13.89.

Synthesis was directed at generation of a library of peptidomimetic epoxides possessing either natural or non-natural peptidomimetic residues at the P2 position, designated the R₁ substituent, and varying the P3/P4 cap groups, designated as R₂ in Scheme 5.

Initially, the R₂-amines were coupled to the commercially available Boc-protected amino acids following typical peptide coupling procedures using either, HOBT and EDCI, or in the presence of CDI to give the corresponding Boc-protected peptidomimetic scaffolds (12-16) (Scheme 5). The epoxysuccinate moiety was synthesized in 3 steps starting from either L-DET or D-DET following published procedures to yield the unambiguous epoxysuccinate R,R (4) and S,S (5), respectively (Saito, S. et al., Organic Syntheses 1996, 73, 184; herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). Following TFA deprotection, the appropriate peptidomimetic scaffold was coupled to 4 or 5 using EDCI and HOBT in the presence of DIPEA to give the corresponding epoxide esters (17-21 and 37). Ester saponification using LiOH at 0° C. afforded the analogous epoxy acids 22-36 (Table 3). In four instances (30a, b and 31a, b), histidine containing analogs were found to be diastereomeric mixtures (L/D, S, S) and (L/D, R,R) resulting from racemization of the peptidyl α-carbon during the initial peptide coupling using CDI.

A possible occurrence in the synthesis of epoxide incorporating inhibitors is the propensity of the epoxide to undergo ring-opening. Hence, convergent synthesis is commonly utilized and the epoxide functionality is incorporated after derivatization has taken place, although a divergent synthetic approach is preferred for library development during lead optimization (Scheme 2).

Coupling of the Epoxide Monoester with the Peptidomimetic Amine.

TFA (10 eq) was added to a suspension of the BOC-protected peptidomimetic (1 eq) in freshly distilled CH₂Cl₂ (30 ml/1 mmol peptidomimetic) at 0° C. and the reaction mixture stirred at the same temperature for 6 h. If needed, additional TFA (5 eq) was added at 0° C. every 30 min until no starting material remained on TLC. The reaction was then concentrated under vacuo and the residual TFA-salt was dissolved in MeOH/PLO and brought to pH of ˜7 using a sat. NaHCO₃ solution, followed by extraction with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 ml) and removal of solvent in vacuo to afford the pure free amine, which was dried under high vacuum and used in the next reaction without further purification. A round bottom was charged with the epoxide monoacid (1.0 eq) dissolved in minimal DMF (˜2 ml/mmol) with DIPEA (1.1 eq) under argon and maintained at 0° C. EDCI (1.0 eq) was then added in one portion and the suspension stirred until homogenous (typically <5 min), followed by the addition of HOBt (1.2 eq). After stirring for an additional 15 min, the free amine (1.0 eq) in DMF (˜3 ml/mmol) was added dropwise, and the reaction allowed to warm to room temperature, monitored by TLC. After 12 h, the reaction was quenched acidified to pH˜4 with 1 N HCl, extracted CH₂Cl₂ (3×). Combined organic extracts were washed with 1 N HCl (2×), and brine (1×), dried over Na₂SO₄, concentrated in vacuo, and purified by column chromatography to give the desired peptidomimetic scaffolds.

Alternative Procedure for Coupling of the Epoxide Monoester with the Peptidomimetic Amine.

TFA (10 eq) was added to a suspension of the BOC-protected peptidomimetic (1 eq) in CH₂Cl₂ (20 ml/1 mmol peptidomimetic) at 0° C. and the reaction mixture stirred at the same temperature for 2 h. Excess TFA and CH₂Cl₂ were removed under vacuum and the residual TFA-salt was either dried under high vacuum and subjected to next reaction without further purification, or dissolved in MeOH/H₂O and brought to pH of ˜7 using a saturated NaHCO₃ solution, followed by extraction with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 ml) and removal of solvent in vacuo to afford the pure free amine, which was used without further purification. The intermediate deprotected amine (1 eq), the epoxide monoester (1 eq), and HOBt (1.1 eq) were dissolved in minimal DMF and then DIPEA (1 mL, 5.6 mmol) and EDCI (326 mg, 1.7 mmol) were added. After stirring at ambient temperature for 12 h water was added to the reaction mixture and diluted with 200 mL of CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated and washed with 1M HCl (20 mL), saturated NaHCO₃ solution (10 mL), water (30 mL), brine (10 mL), and dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. Chromatographic purification of the crude mixture gave the title compounds.

Coupling of the Epoxide Monoester with the Peptidomimetic Amine.

Boc-deprotection: TFA (10 eq) was added to a suspension of the appropriate Boc-protected peptidomimetic (1 eq) in freshly distilled CH₂Cl₂ (10 ml/1 mmol peptidomimetic) at 0° C. and the reaction mixture stirred at the same temperature for 6 h. If needed, additional TFA (5 eq) was added at 0° C. every 30 min until no starting material remained on TLC. The reaction was then concentrated under vacuum and the residual TFA-salt was dissolved in MeOH/H₂O and brought to pH of ˜7 using a sat. NaHCO₃ solution, followed by extraction with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 ml) and removal of solvent in vacuo to afford the pure free amine, which was dried under high vacuum and used in the next reaction without, further purification.

Coupling: A round bottom was charged with the appropriate epoxide monoacid (1.0 eq) dissolved in minimal DMF (˜2 ml/mmol) with DIPEA (1.1 eq) under argon and maintained at 0° C. EDCI (1.0 eq) was then added in one portion and the suspension stirred until homogenous (typically <5 min), followed by the addition of HOBt (1.2 eq). After stirring for an additional 15 min, the free amine (1.0 eq) in DMF (˜3 ml/mmol) was added dropwise, and the reaction allowed to warm to room temperature, monitored by TLC. After 12 h, the reaction was quenched acidified to pH˜4 with 1 N HCl, extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×). Combined organic extracts were washed with 1 N HCl (2×), and brine (3×), dried over Na₂SO₄, concentrated in vacuo, and purified by column chromatography to give the desired peptidomimetic scaffolds.

Peptidomimetic-Epoxide Ester Saponification.

The peptidomimetic epoxide ester (1 eq) was dissolved in THF/MeOH/H₂O (3:1:1) and cooled to 0° C. and LiOH (1 eq) was added and reaction allowed to warm to r.t. Additional LiOH (0.2 eq) was added at 0° C. every 3 h as needed until no starting material remained on TLC. The resulting solution was acidified with cold 1 N HCl and poured into CH₂Cl₂. In some cases the acid precipitated out and was filtered through sintered funnel and washed consecutively with CH₂Cl₂ and H₂O and isolated. In instances when the compound stayed in solution, the aqueous phase was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 ml), combined organic extracts dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated to give the desired product. Typically, the purity of the desired product reflects the purity of the ester starting material. It was found that having sufficiently pure ester starting material is essential to afford a pure acid upon hydrolysis.

TABLE 1 Structure designations for epoxide esters 17-21, and 37.

Compound R₁ R₂ Stereochemistry 17a L-Leucine Phenyl S,S,S 17b L-Leucine 2,6 difluorophenyl S,S,S 17c L-Leucine 2,6 difluorophenyl S,R,R 17d L-Leucine 4-(4-Fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-amine S,S,S 17e L-Leucine 4-(4-Fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-amine S,R,R 17f L-Leucine 4-F-Phenyl-SO₂—NH—(CH₂)₄—NH₂ S,S,S 17g L-Leucine Lipoyl-NH—(CH₂)₄—NH₂ S,S,S 17h L-Leucine D-Biotin-NH—(CH₂)₄—NH₂ S,S,S 18a L-Histidine Phenyl S,S,S 18b L-Histidine 1,3,5 trimethylaniline S,S,S 18c L-Histidine 4-(4-Fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-amine S/R,S,S 18d L-Histidine 4-(4-Fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-amine S/R,R,R 18e L-Histidine 6-fluorobenzo[d]thiazol-2-amine S/R,S,S 18f L-Histidine 6-fluorobenzo[d]thiazol-2-amine S/R,R,R 19a L-Ala(4-thiazoyl)-OH Phenyl S,S,S 19b L-Ala(4-thiazoyl)-OH 4-(4-Fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-amine S,S,S 19c L-Ala(4-thiazoyl)-OH 4-(4-Ethynyl)thiazol-2-amine S,S,S 20 L-His(2-Me)—OH 4-(4-Fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-amine S,S,S 21 L-His(4-Me)—OH 4-(4-Fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-amine S,S,S 37 L-Ala(4-thiazoyl)-OH Propargylamine S,S,S

(2S,3S)-ethyl-3-((S)-4-methyl-1-oxo-1-(phenylamino)pentan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (17a)

General procedure using: Boc-protected peptidomimetic (570 mg, 1.1 mmol); (2S,3S)-epoxysuccinic acid monoester (126 mg, 0.93 mmol), DIPEA (0.16 mL, 0.93 mmol), and HOBT (126 mg, 0.93 mmol) CH₂Cl₂ (10 ml)/DMF (2 ml); EDCI (220 mg, 1.1 mmol) in DMF (1 mL) gave the title compound (100 mg, 30.6%) as white solid. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.57-7.55 (d, 2H, J=7.67 Hz); 7.34-7.30 (t, 2H); 7.13-7.10 (t, 1H); 4.63-4.61 (m, 1H); 4.30-4.24 (m, 2H); 3.729-3.725 (d, 1H, J=1.67 Hz); 3.62-3.61 (d, 1H, J=1.72 Hz); 1.76-1.63 (m, 3H); 1.33-1.29 (t, 3H); 1.02-1.00 (t, 6H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): 171.22, 169.07, 167.15, 137.98, 128.41, 124.12, 120.14, 52.90, 52.58, 52.50, 51.70, 40.70, 29.50, 24.65, 22.04, 20.60.

(2S,3S)ethyl-3-((S)-1-(2,6-difluorophenylamino)-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (17b)

General procedure using: Boc-protected peptidomimetic (600 mg, 1.7 mmol); (2S,3S)-epoxysuccinic acid monoester (280 mg, 1.7 mmol), DIPEA (0.45 mL, 2.6 mmol), in CH₂Cl₂ (10 ml)/DMF (5 ml); EDCI (280 mg, 1.7 mmol) in DMF (1 mL) gave the title compound (210 mg, 31.6%) as white solid. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 8.20 (s, 1H); 7.18-7.16 (t, 1H): 6.94-6.90 (t, 2H); 6.72-6.70 (d, 1H); 4.86-4.85 (q, 1H); 4.29-4.23 (m, 2H); 3.83-3.80 (d, 1H, J=1.69 Hz); 3.72-3.55 (d, 1H, J=1.69 Hz); 1.84-1.70 (m, 3H); 1.30-1.26 (t, 3H); 1.01-0.99 (d, 6H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d₆, 100 MHz): 170.10, 166.5, 166.39, 158.92, 156.46, 127.73, 111.88, 111.54, 164.9, 62.27, 53.9, 52.9, 51.01, 41.2, 24.74, 22.5, 14.0.

(2R,3R)-ethyl-3-((S)-1-(2,6-difluorophenylamino)-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (17c)

General procedure using: Boc-protected peptidomimetic (550 mg, 1.6 mmol); (2S,3S)-epoxysuccinic acid monoester (250 mg, 1.6 mmol), DIPEA (0.65 mL, 3.8 mmol), and HOBT (250 mg, 1.9 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (15 ml)/DMF (5 ml); EDCI (300 mg, 2.0 mmol) in DMF (1 mL) gave the title compound (25 mg, 41.6%) as white solid. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 8.20 (s, 1H); 7.19-7.17 (t, 1H); 6.94-6.90 (t, 2H); 6.72-6.70 (d, 1H); 4.86-4.85 (q, 1H); 4.31-4.25 (m, 2H); 3.84-3.81 (d, 1H, J=1.69 Hz); 3.73-3.56 (d, 1H, J=1.69 Hz); 1.84-1.69 (m, 3H); 1.32-1.28 (t, 3H); 1.02-1.00 (d, 6H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): 170.10, 166.67, 166.39, 158.92, 156.46, 127.73, 111.78, 111.54, 62.28, 53.67, 52.69, 51.21, 40.81, 24.74, 22.74, 22.11, 13.97.

(2S,3S)-ethyl-3-((S)-1-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-ylamino)-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (17d)

General procedure using: Boc-protected peptidomimetic (410 mg, 1.0 mmol); (2S,3S)-epoxysuccinic acid monoester (160 mg, 1.0 mmol), DIPEA (0.18 mL, 1.0 mmol), and HOBT (163 mg, 1.2 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (10 ml); EDCI (211 mg, 1.1 mmol) in DMF (0.5 mL) gave the title compound (203 mg, 40.1%) as white solid. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 9.96 (s, 1H): 7.79-7.76 (q, 2H); 7.11-7.07 (m, 3H); 6.57-6.55 (d, 1H, J=8.4 Hz); 4.80-4.78 (1, 1H); 4.29-4.23 (m, 2H); 3.868-3.864 (d, 1H, J=1.60 Hz); 3.522-3.581 (d, 1H, J=1.60 Hz); 1.86-1.81 (m, 1H); 1.66-1.61 (m, 2H); 1.28-1.24 (m, 4H); 0.98-0.94 (t, 6H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d₆, 100 MHz): 170.28, 167.48, 165.78, 163.43, 161.00, 158.23, 148.34, 135.36, 131.32, 128.17, 116.13, 108.52, 62.01, 53.71, 53.36, 51.82, 14.33. ESI-LRMS (m/z): [M+H]⁺=450.

(2R,3R)-ethyl-3-((S)-1-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-ylamino)-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (17e)

General procedure using: Boc-protected peptidomimetic (290 mg, 0.71 mmol); (2S,3S)-epoxysuccinic acid monoester (113 mg, 0.71 mmol), DIPEA (0.13 ml, 0.71 mmol), and HOBT (115 mg, 0.85 mmol) in DMF (3 ml); EDCI (150 mg, 0.78 mmol) in DMF (0.5 mL) gave the title compound (100 mg, 31.5%) as white solid. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 9.96 (s, 1H): 7.79-7.76 (q, 2H); 7.11-7.06 (m, 3H); 6.48-6.46 (d, 1H, J=8.4 Hz); 4.71-4.69 (1, 1H); 4.25-4.22 (m, 2H); 3.78-3.77 (d, 1H, J=1.20 Hz); 3.60-3.59 (d, 1H, J=1.20 Hz); 1.86-1.81 (m, 1H); 1.71-1.60 (m, 2H); 1.30-1.25 (m, 4H); 0.98-0.96 (t, 6H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d₆, 100 MHz): 170.24, 167.46, 165.58, 163.43, 161.00, 158.20, 148.34, 135.36, 131.29, 128.09, 115.92, 108.52, 62.01, 53.52, 53.41, 51.85, 14.33. ESI-LRMS (m/z): [M+H]⁺=450.

(2S,3S)-ethyl-3-((S)-1-(4-(4-fluorophenylsulfonamido)butylamino)-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (17f)

General procedure using: Boc-protected peptidomimetic (442 mg, 1.0 mmol); (2S,3S)-epoxysuccinic acid monoester (154.1 mg, 0.96 mmol), DIPEA (0.17 mL, 0.96 mmol), and HOBT (157 mg, 1.15 mmol) in DMF (5 ml); EDCI (203 mg, 1.05 mmol) in DMF (0.5 mL) gave the title compound (321 mg, 60.5%) as white solid. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.89-7.86 (m, 2H); 7.21-7.19 (t, 2H): 6.87-6.85 (d, 1H, J=8.40 Hz): 6.32 (bs, 1H); 5.25 (t, 1H): 4.27-4.25 (q, 1H); 4.22-4.19 (m, 2H); 3.71-3.70 (d, 1H. J=1.60 Hz); 3.48-3.47 (d, 1H, J=1.60 Hz): 3.28-3.12 (m, 2H); 2.95-2.93 (d, 2H); 1.62-1.45 (m, 9H); 1.33-1.30 (t, 3H); 0.94-0.90 (t, 6H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): 171.52, 166.67, 166.63, 166.51, 163.98, 130.01, 129.92, 116.66, 116.44, 62.65, 53.99, 53.23, 51.75, 42.98, 41.20, 39.15, 26.80, 26.63, 25.06, 23.06, 22.19, 14.25. ESI-LRMS (m/z): [M+H]⁺=502.

(2S,3S)-ethyl-3-((2S)-1-((5-(1,2-dithiolan-3-yl)pentanamido)methylamino)-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (17g)

General procedure using: Boc-protected peptidomimetic (170 mg, 0.35 mmol); (2S,3S)-epoxysuccinic acid monoester (56 mg, 0.35 mmol), DIPEA (0.06 mL, 0.35 mmol), and HOBT (56 mg, 0.42 mmol) in DMF (2 ml); EDCI (73 mg, 1.2 mmol) in DMF (0.5 mL) gave the title compound (53 mg, 28%) as white solid. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.23-7.21 (d, 1H, J=8.4 Hz); 7.18-7.15 (t, 1H); 6.33 (t, 1H); 4.51-4.49 (q, 1H); 4.28-4.24 (m, 2H); 3.717-3.713 (d, 1H, J=1.60 Hz); 3.60-3.57 (m, 1H); 3.524-3.520 (d, 1H, J=1.60 Hz); 3.18-3.11 (m, 7H): 2.47-2.45 (m, 1H); 2.22-2.18 (t, 2H); 1.93-1.90 (m, 1H); 1.67-1.52 (m, 15H); 1.33-1.30 (dd, 4H); 0.94-0.90 (t, 6H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): 173.66, 171.94, 167.13, 166.52, 62.85, 56.95, 56.92, 54.28, 53.28, 52.01, 41.89, 40.73, 40.10, 39.72, 39.40, 39.23, 38.94, 36.87, 35.07, 29.38, 29.36, 27.65, 27.50, 26.89, 26.27, 25.90, 25.32, 23.41, 22.48, 14.52. ESI-LRMS (m/z): [M+H]⁺=532.

(2S,3R)ethyl-3-((S)-4-methyl-1-oxo-1-(4-(5-((3aS,4S,6aR)-2-oxohexahydro-1H-thieno[3,4-d]imidazol-4-yl)pentanamido)butylamino)pentan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (17h)

General procedure using: Boc-protected peptidomimetic (570 mg, 1.1 mmol): (2S,3S)-epoxysuccinic acid monoester (176 mg, 1.1 mmol), DIPEA (0.2 mL, 1.1 mmol), and HOBT (178 mg, 1.3 mmol) in DMF (5 ml); EDCI (232 mg, 1.2 mmol) in DMF (1 mL) gave the title compound (624 mg, 85%) as white solid. ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 MHz): δ 8.62 (d, 1H); 8.08 (t, 1H); 7.74 (t, 1H); 6.42 (s, 1H); 6.36 (s, 1H); 4.31 (m, 2H); 4.18 (m, 3H); 3.71 (d, 1H); 3.59 (d, 1H); 3.12 (m, 1H); 3.01 (m, 4H); 2.92 (dd, 1H); 2.58 (d, 1H); 2.04 (t, 2H); 1.49 (m, 7H); 1.35 (m, 6H); 1.23 (t, 3H); 0.89 (d, 3H); 0.83 (d, 3H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d₆, 100 MHz): 171.7; 170.9; 167.1; 164.4; 162.6; 61.4; 60.9; 59.1; 55.3; 52.8; 51.1; 41.0; 38.2; 37.9; 35.1; 28.1; 27.9; 26.5; 26.4; 25.2; 24.1; 22.8; 21.5; 13.8. ESI-LRMS (m/z): [M+H]⁺=570.

(2S,3S)ethyl-3-((S)-3-(1H-imidazol-5-yl)-1-oxo-1-(phenylamino)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (18a)

General procedure using: Boc-protected peptidomimetic (463 mg, 1.4 mmol); (2S,3S)-epoxysuccinic acid monoester (220 mg, 1.4 mmol), DIPEA (0.24 mL, 1.4 mmol), and HOBT (230 mg, 1.7 mmol) in DMF (5 ml); EDCI (300 mg, 1.5 mmol) in DMF (0.5 mL) gave the title compound (180 mg, 34.5%) as white solid. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, MeOD-d⁴): δ 7.63 (s, 1H); 7.52-7.50 (d, 2H, J=7.72 Hz); 7.33-7.31 (t, 2H); 7.13-7.11 (t, 1H): 6.90 (s, 1H); 4.76-4.75 (t, 1H): 4.29-4.24 (q, 2H); 3.69-3.68 (d, 1H, J=1.56 Hz); 3.64-3.63 (d, 1H, J=1.56 Hz); 3.17-3.05 (qd, 2H); 1.33-1.29 (t, 3H). ¹³C NMR (MeOD-d⁴, 100 MHz): 169.75, 167.25, 166.90, 137.85, 134.98, 127.36, 124.19, 119.88, 61.73, 54.15, 52.90, 51.60, 12.88.

(2S,3S)-ethyl-3-((S)-3-(1H-imidazol-5-yl)-1-(mesitylamino)-1-oxopropan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (18b)

General procedure using: Boc-protected peptidomimetic (180 mg, 0.47 mmol); (2S,3S)-epoxysuccinic acid monoester (75 mg, 0.47 mmol), DIPEA (0.12 mL, 0.7 mmol), and HOBT (76 mg, 0.56 mmol) in DMF (5 ml); EDCI (99 mg, 0.52 mmol) in DMF (0.5 mL) gave the title compound (55 mg, 28.3%) as white solid. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, MeOD-d⁴): δ 7.66 (s, 1H): 6.96 (s, 1H); 6.88 (s, 1H); 4.27-4.25 (q, 2H); 3.68 (s, 1H); 3.32 (s, 1H); 3.21-3.07 (m, 2H); 2.25 (s, 3H); 2.06 (s, 6H); 1.32-1.29 (t, 3H). ¹³C NMR (MeOD): ¹³C NMR (MeOD-d⁴, 100 MHz): 167.22, 136.74, 135.14, 128.25, 61.74, 52.98, 51.80, 19.53, 16.77, 12.88. MS (ESI) m/z 415.2 (M+H)⁺.

(2S,3S)ethyl-3-(1-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-ylamino)-3-(1H-1-imidazol-4-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (18c)

General procedure using: the racemic Boc-protected peptidomimetic (400 mg, 1.2 mmol); (2S,3S)-epoxysuccinic acid monoester (160 mg, 1.0 mmol), DIPEA (0.43 mL, 2.5 mmol) and HOBT (76 mg, 0.56 mmol) in DMF (5 ml); EDCI (210 mg, 1.1 mmol) in DMF (0.5 mL) gave the title compound (217 mg, 45.8%) as a racemic mixture in the form of a white solid. ¹H NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 400 MHz): δ 12.50 (bs, 1H); 11.90 (bs, 1H); 8.85-8.76 (dd, 1H, J=7.14 Hz); 7.95-7.91 (q, 2H); 7.64-7.58 (m, 2H); 7.28-7.24 (t, 2H); 6.84 (bs, 1H): 4.79-4.75 (q, 1H); 4.22-4.18 (q, 2H); 3.74-3.73 (dd, 1H, J=1.80 Hz); 3.63-3.62 (dd, 1H; J=1.80 Hz); 3.17-3.08 (m, 2H); 1.25-1.21 (t, 3H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d₆, 100 MHz): 169.53, 168.87, 168.81, 165.98, 165.83, 162.89, 160.47, 157.65, 147.82, 134.58, 132.10, 127.64, 127.56, 116.40, 115.60, 115.40, 108.04, 52.98, 52.75, 51.90, 28.55, 28.42.

(2R,3R)-ethyl-3-(1-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-ylamino)-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (18d)

General procedure using: the racemic Boc-protected peptidomimetic (400 mg, 1.0 mmol); (2S,3S)-epoxysuccinic acid monoester (149 mg, 0.93 mmol), DIPEA (0.16 mL, 0.93 mmol) and HOBT (151 mg, 1.1 mmol) in DMF (5 ml); EDCI (196 mg, 1.0 mmol) in DMF (0.5 mL) gave the title compound (240 mg, 50.8%) as a racemic mixture in the form of a white solid. ¹H NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 400 MHz): δ 12.52 (bs, 1H); 11.86 (bs, 1H); 8.85-8.77 (dd, J=7.21 Hz; J=7.48 Hz); 7.95-7.91 (q, 2H); 7.62 (s, 1H); 7.57 (s, 1H); 7.28-7.24 (t, 2H); 6.84 (s, 1H); 4.81-4.76 (m, 1H); 4.23-4.15 (m, 1H); 3.76-3.74 (dd, 1H, J=1.8 Hz; J=1.8 Hz); 3.64-3.61 (dd, 1H, J=1.8 Hz; J=1.8 Hz); 3.08-2.99 (m, 2H); 1.25-1.17 (t 3H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d₆, 100 MHz): 170.28 & 170.24, 167.48 & 167.46, 165.78 & 165.58, 163.43, 161.01, 158.53 & 158.20, 135.37, 131.32& 131.29, 128.17 & 128.09, 116.13 & 115.92, 108.52, 62.01, 53.72 & 53.52, 53.41 & 53.36, 51.85 & 51.82, 14.33.

(2S,3S)-ethyl-3-(1-(6-fluorobenzo[d]thiazol-2-ylamino)-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (18e)

General procedure using: the racemic Boc-protected peptidomimetic (402 mg, 0.99 mmol); (2S,3S)-epoxysuccinic acid monoester (159 mg, 0.99 mmol), DIPEA (0.18 mL, 0.99 mmol) and HOBT (161 mg, 1.18 mmol) in DMF (5 ml); EDCI (209 mg, 1.09 mmol) in DMF (0.5 mL) gave the title compound (229 mg, 51.5%) as a racemic mixture in the form of a white solid. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.96 (bs, 1H); 1.16-1.13 (m, 2H); 7.52-7.50 (d, 1H); 7.18-7.14 (m, 1H); 6.94 (s, 1H): 4.93 (bs, 1H); 4.32-4.27 (m, 2H); 3.78 (s, 1H): 3.63 (s, 1H); 3.26-3.22 (dd, 1H); 3.10-3.06 (dd, 1H); 1.36-1.32 (t, 3H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): 172.15, 168.52 & 168.50, 166.88 & 166.70, 161.31, 159.19 & 158.91, 146.53, 136.25, 134.04 & 133.93, 122.94& 122.84, 115.55 & 115.30, 109.41 & 109.14, 62.40, 55.67, 54.20 & 53.98, 53.72 & 53.66, 52.17 & 52.12, 14.42.

(2R,3R)-ethyl-3-(1-(6-fluorobenzo[d]thiazol-2-ylamino)-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (18f)

General procedure using: Boc-protected peptidomimetic (420 mg, 1.0 mmol); (2S,3S)-epoxysuccinic acid monoester (162 mg, 1.01 mmol), DIPEA (0.18 mL, 1.01 mmol) and HOBT (164 mg, 1.21 mmol) in DMF (5 ml); EDCI (213 mg, 1.11 mmol) in DMF (0.5 mL) gave the title compound (226 mg, 50.5%) as a racemic mixture in the form of a white solid. ¹H NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 400 MHz): δ 11.85 (bs, 1H); 8.89-8.81 (dd, 1H, J=7.21 Hz; J=7.42 Hz); 7.91-7.88 (dd, 1H, J=2.5 Hz; J=2.5 Hz); 7.77-7.74 (q, 1H); 7.57 (s, 1H); 7.32-7.27 (td, 1H, J=2.5 Hz; J=2.5 Hz; J=2.5 Hz); 6.85 (s, 1H); 4.82-4.76 (m, 1H); 4.23-4.16 (m, 2H); 3.76-3.74 (dd, 1H, J=1.8 Hz; J=1.8 Hz); 3.65-3.61 (1H, J=1.8 Hz; J′=1.8 Hz); 3.17-2.98 (m, 2H); 1.25-1.17 (t, 3H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d₆, 100 MHz): 171.13 & 171.09, 167.47 & 167.45, 165.83 & 165.65, 160.32, 158.21 & 157.93, 145.64, 135.40, 133.23 & 133.12, 122.17 & 122.08, 114.83 & 114.59, 108.74 & 108.47, 62.01, 53.86 & 53.65, 53.40 & 53.33, 51.86 & 51.81, 14.34.

(2S,3S)-ethyl-3-((S)-1-oxo-1-(phenylamino)-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (19a)

General procedure using: Boc-protected peptidomimetic (230 mg, 0.66 mmol); (2S,3S)-epoxysuccinic acid monoester (106 mg, 0.66 mmol), DIPEA (0.12 mL, 0.66 mmol) and HOBT (110 mg, 0.79 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (5 ml); EDCI (130 mg, 0.66 mmol) in DMF (0.5 mL) gave the title compound (84 mg, 32.5%) as white solid. ¹H NMR (MeOD-d⁴, 400 MHz): δ 8.94 (s, 1H); 7.52-7.50 (d, 2H); 7.33 (s, 1H); 7.30-7.26 (t, 3H); 7.11-7.07 (t, 1H); 4.98-4.95 (t, 1H); 4.24-4.20 (q, 2H); 3.69 (s, 1H); 3.54 (s, 1H); 3.43-3.28 (m, 2H); 1.28-1.24 (t, 3H). ¹³C NMR (MeOD-d⁴, 100 MHz): 169.43, 167.21, 166.84, 153.89, 152.24, 137.82, 128.45, 124.23, 120.24, 116.10, 61.82, 53.60, 53.11, 51.92, 32.94, 12.99.

(2S,3S)-ethyl-3-((S)-1-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-ylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (19b)

Synthesized following the optimized coupling procedure using: (2S,3S)-epoxysuccinic acid monoester (622 mg, 3.88 mmol), DIPEA (0.75 mL, 4.2 mmol) in DMF (5 ml); EDCI (890 mg, 4.7 mmol); HOBt (730 mg, 5.4 mmol); deprotected free amine (1.35 g, 3.9 mmol) in DMF (5 ml); after column chromatography afforded the title compound (isolated yield=1.38 g, 72.4%) as white solid. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, MeOD-d⁴): δ 8.98-8.98 (d, 1H, J=1.75 Hz); 7.92-7.90 (q, 2H); 7.37 (s, 1H); 7.36 (s, 1H): 7.15-7.10 (t, 2H); 5.06-5.02 (q, 1H); 4.27-4.24 (q, 2H); 3.69-3.68 (d, 1H, J=1.66 Hz); 3.55-3.54 (d, 1H, J=1.66 Hz); 3.56-3.29 (m, 2H); 1.33-1.29. ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d₆, 100 MHz): 169.17, 167.17, 157.69, 154.00, 151.90, 148.90, 130.95, 127.55, 116.15, 114.99, 114.77, 107.20, 61.76, 52.97, 52.91, 51.82, 32.35, 12.89. ESI-HRMS (m/z): [M−H]⁺ calcd. for C₂₁H₁₉FN₄O₅S₂: 489.0781, observed: 489.0731.

(2S,3S)-ethyl 3-((S)-1-(4-(4-ethynylphenyl)thiazol-2-ylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (19c)

¹H NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 400 MHz) δ=12.56 (s, 1H); 9.04-9.03 (d, 1H, J=1.8 Hz): 8.84-8.82 (d, 1H, J=7.7 Hz); 7.93-7.91 (d, 2H, J=8.3 Hz); 7.76 (s, 1H); 7.55-7.53 (d, 2H, J=8.3 Hz); 7.45-7.44 (d, 1H, J=1.6 Hz): 4.99-4.93 (q, 1H); 4.26 (s, 1H); 4.22-4.16 (m, 2H); 3.72-3.71 (d, 1H, J=1.7 Hz); 3.56-3.55 (d, 1H, J=1.7 Hz); 3.67-3.22 (m, 2H): 1.25-1.19 (t, 3H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 100 MHz): 170.04, 167.47, 165.62, 158.24, 154.25, 552.62, 148.47, 134.95, 132.61, 126.26, 121.33, 116.67, 110.21, 83.87, 81.99, 62.02, 53.36, 53.11, 51.81, 33.11, 14.33. ESI-HRMS (m/z): [M+H]⁺ calcd. for C₂₃H₂₀N₄O₅S₂: 497.0948; observed, 497.0949; HPLC method 2: Purity=96.7%, R_(t)=14.5 min (Ion-Trap HPLC).

(2S,3S)-ethyl-3-((S)-1-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-ylamino)-3-(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (20)

General procedure using: Boc-protected peptidomimetic (200 mg, 0.45 mmol); (2S,3S)-epoxysuccinic acid monoester (72 mg, 0.44 mmol), DIPEA (0.078 mL, 0.44 mmol) and HOBT (73 mg, 0.53 mmol) in DMF (4 ml); EDCI (95 mg, 0.49 mmol) in DMF (0.5 ml) gave the title compound (152 mg, 69.3%) as white solid. ¹H NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 400 MHz): δ 12.59 (bs, 1H); 8.97-8.95 (d, 1H, J=7.82 Hz); 7.95-7.92 (q, 2H); 7.64 (s, 1H); 7.50 (s, 1H); 7.28-7.24 (t, 2H); 6.67 (s, 1H); 4.87-4.81 (q, 1H); 4.21-4.15 (m, 2H); 3.74-3.73 (d, 1H, J=1.79 Hz); 3.59 (s, 3H), 3.55-3.54 (d, 1H, J=1.79 Hz); 3.16-2.97 (m, 2H); 1.24-1.17 (t, 3H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 100 MHz): 169.95, 167.48, 165.56, 163.45, 161.02, 148.41, 138.56, 131.27, 128.18, 128.09, 127.82, 127.00, 116.16, 115.95, 108.70, 62.01, 53.24, 52.36, 51.70, 31.30, 26.40, 14.33. ESI-LRMS (m/z): [M+H]⁺ calcd. for C₂₂H₂₂FN₅O₅S: 487.5, observed: 488.0.

(2S,3S)-ethyl-3-((S)-1-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-ylamino)-3-(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (21)

General procedure using: Boc-protected peptidomimetic (185.5 mg, 0.41 mmol); (2S,3S)-epoxysuccinic acid monoester (67 mg, 0.41 mmol), DIPEA (0.07 mL, 0.41 mmol) and HOBT (68 mg, 0.49 mmol) in DMF (3 ml); EDCI (88 mg, 0.45 mmol) in DMF (0.5 mL) gave the title compound (104 mg, 50.2%) as white solid. ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 MHz): δ 12.49 (bs, 1H); 8.74-8.72 (d, 1H, J=7.4 Hz); 7.95-7.92 (q, 2H); 7.62 (s, 1H); 7.49 (s, 1H); 7.27-7.24 (t, 2H); 6.89 (s, 1H); 4.77-4.74 (q, 1H); 4.22-4.17 (m, 2H); 3.75-3.74 (d, 1H, J=1.8 Hz); 3.62-3.61 (d, 1H, J=1.8 Hz); 3.58 (s, 3H); 3.02-2.91 (m, 2H); 1.26-1.22 (t, 3H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 100 MHz): 170.31, 167.48, 165.56, 163.43, 161.00, 148.32, 137.89, 136.98, 131.31, 128.11 (d, J=8.1 Hz); 118.45, 116.14, 115.92, 108.49, 62.01, 53.54, 53.40, 51.87, 33.24, 30.55, 14.34. ESI-LRMS (m/z): [M+H]⁺ calcd. for C₂₂H₂₂FN₅O₅S: 487.5, observed: 488.0.

(2S,3S)-3-((S)-4-methyl-1-oxo-1-(phenylamino)pentan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (22)

Followed general procedure using: the corresponding peptidomimetic epoxide ethyl ester 17a (70 mg, 0.2 mmol); LiOH (4.8 mg, 0.2 mmol); after extraction afforded the desired product as a white solid (54 mg, 83.9%). ¹H NMR (MeOD-d⁴, 400 MHz): δ 7.57-7.55 (d, 2H); 7.33-7.29 (t, 2H); 7.13-7.09 (t, 1H); 4.64-4.61 (m, 1H); 3.71 (s, 1H); 3.57 (s, 1H); 1.76-1.65 (m, 3H); 1.02-0.98 (t, 6H). ¹³C NMR (MeOD-d⁴, 100 MHz): 171.22, 169.07, 167.14, 137.98, 128.41, 124.12, 120.14, 52.90, 52.58, 51.69, 40.70, 29.49, 24.64, 22.04, 20.59. ESI-HRMS (m/z): [M−H]⁺ calcd. for C₁₆H₂₀N₂O₅: 319.3404, observed: 319.1332. HPLC Method 3: R_(t)=21.0 min, purity=96.1%.

(2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-(2,6-difluorophenylamino)-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (23a)

Followed general procedure using: the corresponding peptidomimetic epoxide ethyl ester 17b (28 mg, 0.72 mmol); LiOH (1.7 mg, 0.072 mmol); after extraction afforded the desired product as a white solid (20 mg, 77.0%). ¹H NMR (MeOD-d⁴, 400 MHz): δ 7.91 (s, 1H); 7.36-7.31 (m, 1H); 7.07-7.02 (t, 2H); 4.72 (m, 1H); 3.65 (s, 1H); 3.52 (s, 1H); 1.74-1.68 (m, 3H); 1.01-0.99 (d, 6H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 100 MHz): 171.26, 169.20, 165.81, 159.49 (d, J=5.2 Hz), 157.00 (d, J=5.2 Hz), 128.98 (t, J=19.7 Hz); 115.34 (t, J=34.0 Hz); 113.10 (d, J=5.2 Hz), 107.43, 106.22, 52.96, 51.51, 51.32, 41.30, 24.71, 23.81. ESI-HRMS (m/z): [M−H]⁺ calcd, for C₁₆H₂₀N₂O₅: 355.3216, observed: 355.3101. HPLC Method 1: R_(t)=19.7 min, purity=95.0%.

(2R,3R)-3-((S)-1-(2,6-difluorophenylamino)-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (23b)

Followed general procedure using: the corresponding peptidomimetic epoxide ethyl ester 17c (85 mg, 0.22 mmol); LiOH (5.2 mg, 0.22 mmol); after extraction afforded the desired product as a white solid (59 mg, 74.8%). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 400 MHz): δ 9.88 (s, 1H); 8.81-8.79 (d, 1H, J=8.21 Hz); 7.38-7.33 (m, 1H); 7.17-7.13 (t, 2H); 4.61-4.56 (q, 1H); 3.70-3.69 (d, 1H, J=1.79 Hz); 3.52-3.51 (d, 1H, J=1.79 Hz); 1.66-1.58 (m, 3H); 0.93-0.88 (dd, 6H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d₆, 100 MHz): 171.35, 169.20, 165.79, 159.48 (d, J=5.16 Hz); 157.01 (d, J=5.21 Hz); 128.58 (t, 19.7 Hz); 114.63 (t, J=34.0 Hz); 112.39 (d, J=22.6 Hz); 53.05, 51.71, 51.62, 41.32, 24.71, 21.96. ESI-HRMS (m/z): [M−H]⁺ calcd. for C₁₆H₂₀N₂O₅: 355.3216, observed: 355.3201. HPLC Method 1: R_(t)=18.9 min, purity=96.5%.

(2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-ylamino)-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (24a)

Followed general procedure using: the corresponding peptidomimetic epoxide ethyl ester 17d (203 mg, 0.45 mmol); LiOH (10.8 mg, 0.45 mmol); after extraction afforded the desired product as a white solid (150 mg, 78.8%). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 400 MHz): δ 12.51 (bs, 1H); 8.64-8.61 (d, 1H, J=12.0 Hz); 7.95-7.92 (t, 2H); 7.62 (s, 1H); 7.28-7.24 (t, 2H); 4.63-4.58 (m, 1H); 3.51-3.50 (d, 1H, J=1.60 Hz); 3.34-3.33 (d, 1H, J=1.60 Hz); 165-1.54 (m, 3H); 0.91-0.88 (t, 6H). ¹³C NMR (MeOD-d⁴, 100 MHz): 172.44, 165.32, 162.87, 159.37, 150.45, 132.60, 132.57, 129.14, 129.06, 116.56, 116.34, 108.69, 54.41, 53.55, 53.19, 41.79, 26.21, 23.54, 22.02. ESI-HRMS (m/z): [M+H⁺] calcd. for C₁₉H₂₀FN₃O₅S: 422.1180, observed: 422.1188. HPLC Method 1: R_(t)=24.6 min, purity=95.7%.

(2R,3R)-3-((S)-1-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-ylamino)-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (24b)

Followed general procedure using: the corresponding peptidomimetic epoxide ethyl ester 17e (76.4 mg, 0.16 mmol); LiOH (8 mg, 0.34 mmol); after extraction afforded the desired product as a white solid (51 mg, 71.5%). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 400 MHz): δ 12.52 (s, 1H); 8.78-8.76 (d, 1H, J=8.0 Hz); 7.94-7.92 (t, 2H); 7.63 (s, 1H); 7.29-7.24 (t, 2H); 4.58-4.57 (m, 1H); 3.62-3.61 (d, 1H, J=1.80 Hz); 3.41-3.40 (d, 1H, J=1.80 Hz); 1.64-1.51 (m, 3H): 0.91-0.88 (dd, 6H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 100 MHz): 171.02, 166.26, 162.88, 160.46, 157.72, 147.81, 130.80, 130.77, 127.62, 127.54, 115.59 (d, J=21.6 Hz); 107.97, 52.36, 52.08, 51.37, 28.89, 24.25, 22.82, 21.19. EST-HRMS (m/z): [M+H⁺] calcd for C₁₉H₂₀FN₃O₅S: 422.1180, observed: 422.1186. HPLC Method 1: R_(t)=23.8 min, purity=95.1%.

(2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-(4-(4-fluorophenylsulfonamido)butylamino)-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (25)

Followed general procedure using: the corresponding peptidomimetic epoxide ethyl ester 17f (213 mg, 0.42 mmol); LiOH (21 mg, 0.85 mmol); after extraction afforded the desired product as a white solid (110 mg, 54.7%). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 400 MHz): δ 8.15 (s, 1H); 7.89-7.85 (m, 2H); 7.38 (s, 1H); 7.21-7.17 (t, 2H); 6.14 (s, 1H); 3.68-3.60 (d, 2H); 3.38-3.37 (d, 1H, J=1.60 Hz); 3.10-3.09 (d, 1H, J=1.60 Hz); 2.97 (s, 1H); 2.85 (s, 1H); 1.65-1.56 (m, 7H); 0.91-0.88 (m, 6H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 100 MHz): 173.41, 170.47, 166.90, 166.52, 163.99, 135.75, 135.72, 130.03, 129.93, 116.71, 116.48, 53.83, 52.32, 43.08, 41.34, 39.65, 26.76, 26.22, 24.95, 22.94, 22.06. ESI-HRMS (m/z): [M+H⁺] calcd. for C₂₀H₂₈FN₃O₇S: 474.5705, observed: 474.5707. HPLC Method 1: R_(t)=20.9 min, purity=99.0%.

(2S,3S)-3-((2S)-1-(4-(5-(1,2-dithiolan-3-yl)pentanamido)butylamino)-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (26)

17 g (53 mg, 0.1 mmol) was dissolved in 2 mL of 3:1:5 mixture THF, methanol and water and cooled to 0° C. and LiOH (5 mg, 0.2 mmol) was added. After stirring at the same temperature for 15 min the resulting solution was acidified with 1N HCl and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was washed with water, brine, and dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. Column purification of the crude mixture (SiO₂, 15% MeOH/CHCl₃) gave the title compound as a white solid. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 8.01-7.99 (d, 1H, J=10.8 Hz); 7.26 (s, 1H); 6.25 (bs, 1H); 4.57-4.53 (q, 1H); 3.69 (s, 1H): 3.59 (s, 1H); 3.21-3.31 (m, 5H); 2.45-2.42 (m, 1H); 2.24-2.20 (t, 2H); 1.94-1.92 (m, 1H); 1.66-1.51 (m, 12H); 1.25-1.21 (m, 2H); 0.94-0.91 (m, 6H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): 174.12, 172.13, 168.92, 166.64, 56.52, 53.57, 52.57, 51.62, 45.19, 40.31, 39.09, 38.93, 38.50, 36.24, 34.63, 28.93, 26.56, 26.42, 25.55, 24.85, 22.80, 25.87. ESI-HRMS (m/z): [M+H⁺] calcd. for C₂₂H₃₇N₃O₆S₂: 504.2197, observed: 504.2192. HPLC Method 1: R_(t)=21.7 min, purity=95.4%.

(2S,3S)-3-((S)-4-methyl-1-oxo-1-(4-(5-((3aS,4S,6aR)-2-oxohexahydro-1H-thieno[3,4-d]imidazol-4-yl)pentanamido)butylamino)pentan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (27)

Synthesized following general saponification procedure using the following quantities: the corresponding peptidomimetic epoxide ethyl ester 17h (155 mg, 0.3 mmol): LiOH (14 mg, 0.58 mmol); MeOH/H₂O (1.5 mL: 0.5 mL: 0.5 mL); yielded 27 as a white solid (40 mg, 27.1%). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 MHz): 8.56 (d, 1H); 8.06 (t, 1H); 7.76 (t, 1H); 6.41 (s, 1H), 6.35 (s, 1H); 4.57 (m, 2H); 4.31 (m, 1H); 3.66 (d, 1H); 3.31 (d, 1H); 3.08 (m, 1H); 3.01 (m, 3H); 2.80 (dd, 1H); 2.56 (d, 1H); 2.04 (t, 2H); 1.53 (m, 6H); 1.43 (m, 3H); 1.36 (m, 2H); 0.89 (d, 3H); 0.84 (d, 3H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d₆, 100 MHz): 171.80, 171.06, 568.78, 164.85, 162.68, 61.00, 59.16, 55.36, 52.65, 51.19, 41.14, 35.17, 28.17, 27.98, 26.59, 26.45, 25.28, 24.24, 22.87, 21.61. ESI-HRMS (m/z): no ionization, mass not seen. HPLC Method 1: R_(t)=14.8 min, purity=95.6%.

(2S,3S)-3-((S)-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1-oxo-1-(phenylamino)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (28)

Synthesized following general saponification procedure using the following quantities: the corresponding peptidomimetic epoxide ethyl ester 18a (155 mg, 0.3 mmol); LiOH (14 mg, 0.58 mmol); MeOH/H₂O (1.5 mL: 0.5 mL: 0.5 mL); yielded 28 as a white solid (40 mg, 27.1%). ¹H NMR (MeOD-d⁴, 400 MHz): δ 8.66 (s, 1H); 7.57-7.55 (d, 2H, J=7.86 Hz); 7.29-7.27 (t, 3H); 7.10-7.07 (t, 1H); 4.97-4.94 (q, 1H); 3.64-3.63 (d, 1H, J=1.66 Hz); 3.529-3.525 (d, 1H, J=1.66 Hz); 3.36-3.15 (m, 2H). ¹³C NMR (MeOD-d⁴, 100 MHz): 169.79, 167.26, 166.95, 137.90, 134.99, 128.37, 124.10, 120.11, 54.13, 52.94, 51.67. ESI-HRMS (m/z): [M+H⁺] calcd. for C₁₆H₁₆N₄O₅: 345.1194, observed: 345.1185. HPLC Method 1: R_(t)=18.2 min, purity=95.2%.

(2S,3S)-3-((S)-3-(1H-imidazol-5-yl)-1-(mesitylamino)-1-oxopropan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (29)

Synthesized following general saponification procedure using the following quantities: the corresponding peptidomimetic epoxide ethyl ester 18b (51.6 mg, 0.1 mmol); LiOH (5 mg, 0.2 mmol); MeOH/H₂O (1.5 mL: 0.5 mL: 0.5 mL): yielded 29 as a white solid (26.2 mg, 54.2%). ¹H NMR (MeOD-d⁴, 400 MHz): δ 7.62 (s. 1H); 6.93 (s, 1H); 6.87 (s, 2H); 4.84-4.82 (m, 1H); 3.53-3.49 (d, 1H); 3.38-3.35 (d, 1H); 3.25-3.22 (m, 2H); 2.25 (s, 3H); 2.07 (s, 6H). ¹³C NMR (MeOD-d⁴, 100 MHz): 174.40, 172.62, 170.80, 168.89, 136.54, 135.74, 135.11, 133.43, 131.25, 128.18, 117.26, 54.20, 53.82, 53.69, 52.80, 29.34, 19.55, 16.86. ESI-HRMS (m/z): [M−H⁺] calcd. for C₁₉H₂₂N₄O₅: 385.1517, observed: 385.1516. HPLC Method 2: R_(t)=16.4 min, purity=95.4%.

(2S,3S)-3-(1-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-ylamino)-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (30a)

Synthesized following general saponification procedure using the following quantities: the corresponding peptidomimetic epoxide ethyl ester 18c (184 mg, 0.39 mmol); LiOH (14 mg, 0.58 mmol); MeOH/H₂O (1.5 mL: 0.5 mL: 0.5 mL); yielded 30a as a white solid (40 mg, 27.1%). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 400 MHz): δ 12.50 (bs, 1H); 8.84-8.73 (dd, 1H, J=7.3 Hz, 7.3 Hz); 7.95-7.91 (q, 2H); 7.73 (s, 1H); 7.63 (s, 1H); 7.29-7.24 (t, 2H); 6.90 (s, 1H); 4.81-4.74 (m, 1H); 3.65-3.64 (dd, 2H, J=1.68 Hz, 1.68 Hz); 3.46-3.42 (dd, 2H, J=1.65 Hz, 1.65 Hz): 3.09-3.01 (m, 2H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 100 MHz): 169.81, 165.89, 163.95, 157.92, 147.96, 134.99, 132.93, 132.91, 127.89, 127.72, 115.77, 135.56, 108.17, 99.59, 52.69, 51.85, 51.77. ESI-HRMS (m/z): [M+H⁺] calcd. for C₁₉H₁₆FN₅O₅S: 446.0929, observed: 446.0922. HPLC method 2: R_(t)=16.2 min (S-isomer) & 12.8 min (R-isomer), purity=98.2%. Isomeric identity was determined by resynthesis with the use of HOBT in the initial peptide coupling. This led to isolation of the enantiomerically pure S-isomer, which elutes at R_(t)=16.2 min, corresponding to the S-isomer in the enantiomeric mixture.

(2R,3R)-3-((S)-1-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-ylamino)-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (30b)

Synthesized following general saponification procedure using the following quantities: the corresponding peptidomimetic epoxide ethyl ester 18d (200 mg, 0.42 mmol); LiOH (12 mg, 0.50 mmol); THF/MeOH/H₂O (2.5 mL: 1.5 mL: 1.5 mL); yielded 30b as a white solid (85 mg, 45.2%). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 MHz): δ 12.52 (bs, 1H); 8.85-8.75 (dd, 2H, J=6.9 Hz; J=43.1 Hz); 7.94-7.91 (t, 2H); 7.80 (s, 1H); 7.62 (s, 1H); 7.28-7.24 (t, 2H); 6.93 (s, 1H): 4.80-4.76 (q, 1H); 3.65-3.64 (d, 1H, J=4.40 Hz); 3.46-3.42 (d, 1H, J=14.0 Hz); 3.09-2.96 (m, 2H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d₆, 100 MHz): 169.5, 168.8, 165.9, 162.9, 160.5, 157.6, 147.8, 134.6, 132.1, 130.7, 127.6, 116.4, 115.5 (d, J=21.4 Hz), 108.0, 52.9, 52.7, 52.6, 51.9, 28.6. ESI-HRMS (m/z): [M+H⁺] calcd. for C₁₉H₁₆FN₅O₅S: 446.0928, observed: 446.0939; HPLC method 2: R_(t)=15.8 min, purity=97.2%.

(2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-(6-fluorobenzo[d]thiazol-2-ylamino)-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (31a)

Synthesized following general saponification procedure using the following quantities: the corresponding peptidomimetic epoxide ethyl ester 18e (153 mg, 0.32 mmol); LiOH (7.7 mg, 0.32 mmol); THF/MeOH/H₂O (3.5 mL: 1.5 mL: 1.5 mL); yielded 31a as a white solid (103 mg, 71.5%). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 MHz): δ 14.55 (bs, 1H); 14.36 (bs, 1H); 9.18-9.02 (m, 1H): 7.93-7.91 (m, 1H); 7.79-7.75 (m, 1H); 7.44 (s, 1H); 7.31-7.29 (t, 1H); 4.96-4.91 (q, 1H); 3.72-3.71 (d, 1H, J=1.62 Hz); 3.51-3.50 (d, 1H, J=1.62 Hz); 3.29-3.16 (m, 2H). %). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d₆, 100 MHz): 169.50, 168.51, 165.84, 165.84, 159.82, 157.53, 157.44, 145.02, 133.67, 132.68, 132.57, 128.56, 121.63, 117.01, 114.40, 114.16, 108.27, 108.00, 52.67, 52.19, 51.34, 26.20. ESI-HRMS (m/z): [M+H⁺] calcd. for C₁₇H₁₄FN₅O₅S: 420.0773, observed: 420.0777.

(2R,3R)-3-((S)-1-(6-fluorobenzo[d]thiazol-2-ylamino)-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (31b)

Synthesized following general saponification procedure using the following quantities: the corresponding peptidomimetic epoxide ethyl ester 18f (125 mg, 0.26 mmol); LiOH (6.2 mg, 0.26 mmol); THF/MeOH/H₂O (1.5 mL: 1.0 mL: 0.5 mL); yielded 31b as a white solid (46 mg, 39.1%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, MeOD-d⁴): δ 11.88 (bs, 1H), 8.89-8.83 (dd, 1H, J=7.4 Hz, J=7.4 Hz); 7.91-7.89 (d, 1H, J=2.5 Hz); 7.78-7.72 (q, 1H); 7.56 (s, 1H); 7.30 (td, 1H, J=2.6 Hz); 6.85 (s, 1H); 4.81-4.76 (m, 1H): 3.76-3.74 (dd, 1H, J=1.68 Hz); 3.45-3.43 (dd, 1H, J=1.65 Hz); 3.11-3.00 (m, 2H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d₆, 100 MHz): 171.13, 167.48, 165.83, 160.32, 158.21, 145.64, 135.40, 133.23, 122.17, 114.83, 108.74, 53.86, 53.40, 51.86. ESI-HRMS (m/z): [M+H⁺] calcd. for C₁₇H₁₄FN₅O₅S: 420.0773, observed: 420.0769.

(2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-oxo-1-(phenylamino)-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (32)

Synthesized following general saponification procedure using the following quantities: the corresponding peptidomimetic epoxide ethyl ester 19a (112 mg, 0.28 mmol); LiOH (6.9 mg, 0.29 mmol); THF/MeOH/H₂O (2.5 mL: 1.0 mL: 1.0 mL); yielded 32 as a white solid (45 mg, 43.3%). ¹H NMR (MeOD-d⁴, 400 MHz): δ 8.97 (s, 1H); 7.52-7.50 (d, 2H); 7.32 (s, 1H); 7.30-7.26 (t, 3H); 4.94-4.92 (t, 1H): 3.62 (s, 1H); 3.52-3.45 (q, 2H); 3.43 (s, 1H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d₆, 100 MHz): 172.48, 169.65, 168.87, 153.83, 152.41, 138.16, 128.33, 124.04, 120.73, 115.89, 54.49, 53.60, 52.89 32.87. ESI-HRMS (m/z): [M+H⁺] calcd. for C₁₆H₁₅N₃O₅S: 360.0660, observed: 360.0673; HPLC method 2: R_(t)=16.4 min; Purity: 95.2%.

(2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-ylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (33)

Synthesized following general saponification procedure using the following quantities: the corresponding peptidomimetic epoxide ethyl ester 19b (974 mg, 2.0 mmol); LiOH (47.5 mg, 2.0 mmol); THF/MeOH/H₂O (25 mL: 5 mL: 2 mL); yielded 33 as a white solid (685 mg, 74.6%). ¹H NMR (MeOD-d⁴, 400 MHz): δ 8.99-8.98 (d, 1H, J=1.67 Hz); 7.94-7.91 (q, 2H); 7.37 (s, 1H); 7.36 (s, 1H); 7.15-7.10 (t, 2H); 5.06-5.02 (q, 1H); 3.64-3.63 (d, 1H, J=1.57 Hz): 3.49-3.45 (m, 3H). ¹³C NMR (MeOD-d⁴, 100 MHz): 170.05, 169.01, 166.19, 163.43, 158.19, 154.25, 152.66, 148.36, 131.30, 128.18, 116.63, 116.15, 115.93, 108.62, 53.12, 53.05, 52.21, 33.09. ESI-HRMS (m/z): [M+H⁺] calcd. for C₁₉H₁₅FN₄O₅S₂: 463.0541, observed: 463.0545; HPLC method 2: R_(t)=23.3 min; purity=96.3%.

(2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-(4-(4-ethynylphenyl)thiazol-2-ylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (34)

Synthesized following general saponification procedure using the following quantities: 19c (115 mg, 0.23 mmol); LiOH (6.7 mg, 0.28 mmol); THF/MeOH/H₂O (4.5 ml: 1.5 ml: 1.5 ml); yielded 34 as a white solid (48 mg, 44.2%). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 400 MHz): δ 12.57 (s, 1H); 9.06-9.05 (d, 1H, J=1.92 Hz); 8.81-8.79 (d, 1H, J=7.8 Hz); 7.93-7.91 (d, 2H, J=8.4 Hz); 7.76 (s, 1H); 7.55-7.53 (d, 2H, J=8.4 Hz); 7.45-7.44 (d, 1H, 1.8 Hz); 4.98-4.93 (q, 1H); 4.25 (s, 1H): 3.66-3.65 (d, 1H, J=1.8 Hz); 3.42-3.41 (d, 1H, J=1.8 Hz): 3.35-3.22 (m, 2H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 100 MHz): 170.08, 169.03, 165.98, 158.25, 154.33, 152.54, 148.47, 134.95, 132.61, 126.26, 121.32, 116.75, 110.20, 83.87, 81.99, 53.15, 53.08, 51.88, 33.05. ESI-HRMS (m/z): [M+H⁺] calcd. for C₂₁H₁₆N₄O₅S₂: 469.0635; observed, 469.0627; HPLC method 1: R_(t)=12.5 min, Purity=95.7%.

(2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-ylamino)-3-(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (35)

Synthesized following general saponification procedure using the following quantities: the corresponding peptidomimetic epoxide ethyl ester 20 (129 mg, 0.26 mmol): LiOH (6.3 mg, 0.26 mmol); THF/MeOH/H₂O (2.5 mL: 1.5 mL: 1.5 mL); yielded 35 as a white solid (56 mg, 46.1%). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 MHz): 8.92-8.90 (d, 1H); 7.96-7.91 (m, 2H): 7.68 (s, 1H); 7.35-7.24 (m, 3H); 4.94-4.87 (m, 1H); 4.64-4.56 (m, 2H); 3.82-3.50 (m, 5H). ¹³C NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): 171.52, 167.50, 165.57, 162.45, 161.02, 148.42, 138.62, 131.27, 128.18, 128.01, 127.83, 127.05, 116.17, 115.99, 106.70, 53.24, 52, 58, 51.90, 31.29, 29.52. ESI-HRMS (m/z): [M+H⁺] calcd. for C₂₀H₁₈FN₅O₅S: 460.1085; observed, 460.1092; R_(t)=17.8 min, purity=93.6%.

(2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-ylamino)-3-(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (36)

Synthesized following general saponification procedure using the following quantities: the corresponding peptidomimetic epoxide ethyl ester 21 (93 mg, 0.19 mmol); LiOH (4.5 mg, 0.19 mmol); THF/MeOH/H₂O (1.5 mL: 0.5 mL: 0.5 mL); yielded 36 as a white solid (29 mg, 33.1%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): 12.50 (bs, 1H), 8.82-8.80 (d, 1H): 7.93-7.91 (m, 2H); 7.76 (s, 1H); 7.63 (s, 1H); 7.46-7.24 (t, 2H); 6.99 (s, 1H); 4.79-4.74 (m, 1H); 3.67-3.66 (d, 1H); 3.62 (s, 3H); 3.49-3.48 (d, 1H); 3.12-2.90 (m, 2H). ¹³C NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): 169.72, 168.60, 165.56, 162.97, 160.54, 157.78, 147.88, 137.17, 130.84, 127.71, 127.63, 118.35, 115.68, 115.47, 108.08, 53.07, 52.98, 51.56, 33.11, 29.60. ESI-HRMS (m/z): [M+H⁺] calcd. for C₂₀H₁₈FNO₅S: 460.1085, observed: 460.1090. R_(t)=18.1 min, purity=95.3%.

Preparation of the alkynyl epoxide-ester for click derivatization, 37 (2S,3S)-ethyl-3-((S)-1-oxo-1-(prop-2-ynylamino)-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (37)

37 was generated using the peptide coupling procedure using: Boc-protected peptidomimetic (740 mg, 3.5 mmol); (2S,3S)-epoxysuccinic acid monoester (564 mg, 3.52 mmol), DIPEA (1.53 mL, 8.8 mmol); EDCI (740 mg, 3.9 mmol); HOBT (520 mg, 3.9 mmol) in DMF (10 ml); afforded the title compound (960 mg, 77.6%) as white solid. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 8.78 (s, 1H); 7.65-7.63 (d, 1H, J=1.00 Hz); 7.14 (s, 1H); 7.04 (bs, 1H); 4.80-4.75 (q, 1H); 4.29-4.24 (m, 2H): 3.99-3.97 (q, 2H); 3.72-3.71 (d, 1H, J=1.6 Hz); 3.53-3.52 (d, 1H, J=1.6 Hz); 3.34-3.35 (m, 2H); 2.39 (bs, 1H); 1.33-1.30 (t, 3H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): 169.59, 166.49, 166.45, 153.22, 152.42, 116.20, 78.98, 71.59, 62.31, 53.77, 52.81, 52.44, 32.65, 29.20, 14.02. HRMS (ESI) m/z 352.0975 (M+H)⁺; m/z 350.0836 (M−H)⁺.

General Procedure for Huisgen Cycloaddition to Give the Intermediate Esters (38-47)

Copper catalyzed Huisgen cycle-additions, a.k.a. “click chemistry”, has received much attention in the past decade due to low cross-reactivity with other functional groups, making it the ideal tool for the generation of a library of epoxide incorporating inhibitors. Computational guidance was employed, vide infra, along with a novel click chemistry route to generate a library of triazole incorporating calpain inhibitors (Scheme 6). The key alkynyl intermediate, 37, was functionalized with aryl-azides using a Cu[II] catalyzed Huisgen cycloaddition, with the aid of TBTA to give the corresponding triazole-aryl incorporating epoxyester peptidomimetics (38-47). Ester saponification yielded the desired epoxyacids (49-58) in good yield over 2 steps (85-100%).

To the appropriate aryl-azide (1.2 eq) and 37 (1.0 eq) were dissolved in t-BuOH/EtOH/TTO (1:1:0.5). CuSO₄ (0.2 eq), sodium ascorbate (0.4 eq), and a catalytic amount of TBTA (0.01 eq) were added sequentially and the reaction stirred for 12 h. The resulting precipitate was filtered off, dissolved in CH₂Cl₂, filtered through celite and concentrated in vacuo to afford the desired product in yields and quantities as follows.

(2S,3S)-ethyl-3-((S)-1-oxo-1-(1-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (38)

The general click procedure was used substituting the following quantities: 37 (25.0 mg, 0.08 mmol); phenylazide (9.5 mg, 0.07 mmol); CuSO₄ (2.0 mg, 0.01 mmol); NaAsc (6.0 mg, 0.03 mmol); TBTA (5.0 mg, 0.01 mmol); in t-BuOH/EtOH/H₂O (2:1:0.5); afforded the 38 as a white solid (32 mg, 92.6%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 8.74-7.73 (d, 1H, J=1.90 Hz), 7.93 (s, 1H); 7.73-7.71 (d, 3H, J=8.68 Hz); 7.55-7.52 (t, 2H); 7.47-7.39 (m, 2H); 7.07-7.06 (d, 1H, J=1.71 Hz); 4.84-4.79 (q, 1H); 4.56-4.54 (d, 2H, J=5.87 Hz); 4.32-4.21 (m, 2H); 3.71-3.70 (d, 1H, J=1.78 Hz); 3.57-3.56 (d, 1H, J=1.78 Hz); 3.39-3.18 (m, 2H); 1.33-1.31 (t, 3H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): 170.06, 166.52, 166.39, 153.25, 152.36, 145.11, 136.91, 129.75, 128.81, 120.57, 120.46, 115.97, 62.27, 53.80, 52.79, 52.58, 34.98, 32.76, 14.01.

(2S,3S)-ethyl-3-((S)-1-((1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (39)

The general click procedure was used substituting the following quantities: 37 (27.3 mg, 0.08 mmol); 1-azido-4-fluorobenzene (10.4 mg, 0.08 mmol); CuSO₄ (2.0 mg, 0.01 mmol); NaAsc (6.0 mg, 0.03 mmol); TBTA (5.0 mg, 0.01 mmol); in t-BuOH/EtOH/H₂O (2:1:0.5); afforded the 39 as a white solid (35 mg, 92.2%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 8.73-8.72 (d, 1H, J=1.91 Hz); 7.90 (s, 1H); 7.74-7.67 (m, 3H); 7.58-7.55 (t, 1H); 7.24-7.18 (t, 2H); 7.07-7.06 (d, 1H, J=1.71 Hz); 4.84-4.79 (q, 1H); 4.54-4.50 (d, 2H, J=5.90 Hz); 4.29-4.21 (m, 2H); 3.68-3.67 (d, 1H, J=1.78 Hz); 3.53-3.52 (d, 1H, J=1.78 Hz); 3.37-3.18 (m, 2H); 1.30-1.26 (t, 3H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): 169.82, 166.17, 166.03, 163.28, 160.81, 152.86, 152.00, 144.94, 132.78, 122.10, 122.01, 120.48, 116.45, 116.22, 115.59, 61.91, 53.43, 52.40, 52.24, 34.55, 32.42, 13.63.

(2S,3S)-ethyl-3-((S)-1-oxo-1-((1-(4-(piperidin-1-ylsulfonyl)phenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (40)

The general click procedure was used substituting the following quantities using: 37 (28.1 mg, 0.08 mmol); 4-piperidinophenylazide (10.7 mg, 0.08 mmol); CuSO₄ (3.0 mg, 0.02 mmol); NaAsc (6.0 mg, 0.03 mmol); TBTA (5.0 mg, 0.01 mmol); in t-BuOH/EtOH/H₂O (2:1:0.5); afforded the 40 as a white solid (31 mg, 79.8%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 8.76-8.75 (d, 1H, J=1.84 Hz); 8.05 (s, 1H); 7.93 (s, 4H); 7.76-7.74 (d, 1H, J=7.04 Hz); 7.38-7.36 (t, 1H); 7.10-7.09 (d, 1H, J=1.70 Hz); 4.79-4.76 (q, 1H); 4.58-4.55 (q, 2H); 4.30-4.25 (m, 2H); 3.72-3.71 (d, 1H, J=1.78 Hz); 3.55-3.54 (d, 1H, J=1.78 Hz); 3.38-3.17 (abq, 2H); 3.07-304 (t, 3H); 1.75-1.60 (m, 1H); 1.31-1.26 (t, 3H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): 170.31, 169.65, 166.52, 166.44, 153.30, 152.40, 152.34, 145.93, 139.64, 136.68, 329.40, 120.61, 120.43, 116.20, 116.02, 79.01, 71.57, 62.31, 53.77, 52.80, 52.45, 46.94, 32.70, 29.19, 25.11, 23.42, 14.02.

(2S,3S)-ethyl-3-((S)-1-(1-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (41)

The general click procedure was used substituting the following quantities using: 37 (25.0 mg, 0.07 mmol); 5-azidobenzo[d][1,3]dioxole (9.5 mg, 0.07 mmol); CuSO₄ (2.0 mg, 0.01 mmol): NaAsc (6.0 mg, 0.03 mmol); TBTA (5.0 mg, 0.01 mmol); in t-BuOH/EtOH/H₂O (2:1:0.5); afforded the 41 as a white solid (31 mg, 89.7%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 8.76-8.75 (d, 1H, J=1.86 Hz); 7.79 (s, 1H); 7.73-7.71 (d, 1H, J=7.16 Hz); 7.24-7.21 (dd, 2H); 7.14-7.11 (dd, 1H); 7.08-7.07 (d, 1H, J=1.63 Hz); 6.93-6.91 (d, 1H, J=8.32 Hz); 6.09 (s, 1H): 4.79-4.76 (q, 1H); 4.54-4.53 (d, 2H, J=5.90 Hz); 4.31-4.25 (m, 2H); 3.72-3.71 (d, 1H, J=1.76 Hz); 3.55-3.54 (d, 1H, J=1.76 Hz); 3.38-3.15 (ab, 2H, J=92.8 Hz, 57.57 Hz); 1.35-1.30 (t, 3H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): 169.49, 169.05, 164.22, 155.01, 153.30, 148.84, 147.92, 148.27, 130.98, 121.72, 116.26, 114.17, 109.12, 102.60, 102.33, 62.14, 52.95, 52.54, 51.90, 34.78, 33.49, 14.23.

(2S,3S)-ethyl-3-((S)-1-oxo-1-((1-(4-sulfamoylphenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (42)

The general click procedure was used substituting the following quantities using: 37 (109.0 mg, 0.31 mmol): 4-azidobenzenesulfonamide (61.5 mg, 0.31 mmol); CuSO₄ (10.0 mg, 0.06 mmol); NaAsc (20.0 mg, 0.03 mmol); TBTA (10.0 mg, 0.02 mmol); in t-BuOH/EtOH/H₂O (4:4:2); afforded the 42 as a white solid (119 mg, 69.8%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 8.93 (s, 1H); 8.45 (s, 1H); 8.39-8.05 (q, 4H); 7.33 (s, 1H); 4.83-4.77 (t, 1H); 4.57-4.48 (q, 2H); 4.28-4.23 (q, 2H); 3.64 (s, 1H); 3.50 (s, 1H); 3.40-3.21 (m, 2H); 1.28-1.23 (t, 3H). ¹³C NMR (MeOD-d⁴, 100 MHz): 170.94, 166.80, 166.72, 153.45, 151.92, 145.70, 143.49, 138.85, 127.31, 120.74, 139.76, 115.56, 61.42, 52.72, 52.67, 51, 47, 33.93, 31.91, 12.52.

(2S,3S)-ethyl-3-((S)-1-((1-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (43)

The general click procedure was used substituting the following quantities using: 37 (93.7 mg, 0.27 mmol); 1-azido-3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzene (82.5 mg, 0.32 mmol); CuSO₄ (0.6 mg, 0.01 mmol); NaAsc (3.5 mg, 0.02 mmol); TBTA (15.0 mg, 0.03 mmol); in t-BuOH/EtOH/H₂O (4:4:2) with an additional 3 drops of DMF; afforded the 43 as a while solid (142 mg, 87.8%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 8.77 (s, 1H); 8.25 (s, 2H); 8.09 (s, 1H): 7.96 (s, 1H); 7.77-7.75 (d, 1H, J=7.09 Hz); 7.34-7.32 (t, 1H); 7.11 (s, 1H); 4.81-4.76 (q, 1H); 4.59-4.57 (d, 2H, J=5.90 Hz); 4.31-4.25 (m, 2H); 3.72-3.711 (d, 1H, J=1.64 Hz); 3.55-3.54 (d, 1H, J=1.64 Hz); 3.41-3.17 (m, 2H); 1.01-0.99 (t, 3H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 100 MHz): 170.62, 167.49, 165.37, 154.06, 153.24, 146.92, 138.31, 124.57, 122.37, 121.85, 121.09, 116.21, 61.97, 53.44, 52.97, 51.74, 34.64, 33.49, 14.29.

(2S,3S)-ethyl-3-((S)-1-((1-(4-bromophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (44)

The general click procedure was used substituting the following quantities using: 37 (60 mg, 0.17 mmol); 1-azido-4-bromobenzene (51 mg, 0.26 mmol); CuSO₄ (4.4 mg, 0.03 mmol); NaAsc (22 mg, 0.11 mmol); TBTA (20.0 mg, 0.04 mmol); in t-BuOH/EtOH/H₂O (2:2:1); afforded the 44 as a white solid (40 mg, 42.6%). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 MHz): δ 9.00-8.99 (d, 1H, J=1.66 Hz); 8.74-8.71 (t, 1H); 8.63-8.61 (d, 1H, J=8.22 Hz); 8.54 (s, 1H); 7.60-7.56 (d, 2H, J=14.85 Hz); 7.345-7.341 (d, 1H, J=1.63 Hz); 7.11-7.07 (d, 2H, J=14.85 Hz); 4.69-4.66 (q, 1H); 4.40-4.38 (d, 2H, J=5.59 Hz); 4.20-4.13 (m, 2H); 3.66-3.66 (d, 1H, J=1.73 Hz); 3.52-3.51 (d, 1H, J=1.73 Hz); 3.33-3.12 (m, 2H); 1.23-1.20 (t, 3H). ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d⁶): 170.57, 167.51, 165.36, 154.07, 153.27, 146.56, 139.39, 136.25, 122.30, 121.54, 117.51, 116.23, 61.97, 53.46, 52.99, 51.76, 34.75, 33.50, 14.32.

(2S,3S)-ethyl-3-((S)-1-((1-(4-nitrophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (45)

The general click procedure was used substituting the following quantities using: 37 (60 mg, 0.17 mmol); 1-azido-4-nitrobenzene (42 mg, 0.26 mmol); CuSO₄ (4.4 mg, 0.03 mmol); NaAsc (22 mg, 0.11 mmol); TBTA (20.0 mg, 0.04 mmol); in t-BuOH/EtOH/H₂O (2:2:1); afforded the 45 as an orange solid (40 mg, 45.6%). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 400 MHz): δ 9.00-8.99 (d, 1H, J=1.8 Hz); 8.77-8.74 (t, 1H); 8.73 (s, 1H); 8.63-8.61 (d, 1H, J=8.17 Hz); 8.47-8.44 (d, 2H, J=9.13 Hz); 8.21-8.19 (d, 2H, J=9.13 Hz); 7.36 (d, 1H, J=1.78 Hz); 4.71-4.65 (q, 1H); 4.42-4.40 (d, 2H, J=5.50 Hz); 4.20-4.09 (m, 2H); 3.66-3.65 (d, 1H, J=1.75 Hz); 3.52-3.53 (d, 1H, J=1.75 Hz); 3.28-3.06 (m, 2H); 1.22-1.17 (t, 3H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): 170.25, 167.14, 165.00, 153.70, 152.87, 146.77, 146.68, 140.89, 125.70, 121.59, 120.42, 115.86, 61.60, 53.09, 52.61, 51.40, 34.32, 33.12, 13.94.

(2S,3S)-ethyl-3-((S)-1-((1-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (46)

The general click procedure was used substituting the following quantities using: 37 (48 mg, 0.14 mmol); 2-azido-1,3-difluorobenzene (24 mg, 0.15 mmol); CuSO₄ (3.5 mg, 0.02 mmol); NaAsc (18 mg, 0.09 mmol); TBTA (12 mg, 0.01 mmol); in t-BuOH/EtOH/H₂O (1:1:0.5); afforded 46 as a white solid (20 mg, 31.6%). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 400 MHz): δ 8.74-8.73 (d, 1H, J=1.79 Hz); 7.74-7.72 (m, 2H); 7.55-7.45 (m, 1H); 7.34-7.32 (m, 1H); 7.17-7.13 (t, 2H); 7.04-7.03 (d, 1H, J=1.72 Hz); 4.82-4.80 (q, 1H); 4.57-4.56 (d, 2H, J=5.97 Hz); 4.29-4.24 (m, 2H); 3.71-3.70 (d, 1H, J=1.78 Hz); 3.55-3.54 (d, 1H, J=1.78 Hz); 3.35-3.18 (m, 2H); 1.33-1.30 (t, 3H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): 170.16, 166.65, 166.30, 158.01, 155.46, 153.29, 152.24, 144.36, 131.48, 129.14, 125.10, 116.01, 112.64, 62.24, 53.81, 52.74, 52.62, 34.74, 32.91, 13.99.

(2S,3S)-ethyl-3-((S)-1-((1-mesityl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (47)

The general click procedure was used substituting the following quantities using: 37 (48 mg, 0.14 mmol); 2-azido-1,3-difluorobenzene (24 mg, 0.15 mmol); CuSO₄ (3.5 mg, 0.02 mmol); NaAsc (18 mg, 0.09 mmol); TBTA (12 mg, 0.01 mmol); in t-BuOH/EtOH/H₂O (1:1:0.5); afforded 47 as a white solid (30 mg, 42.8%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d⁶): δ 8.79-8.74 (d, 1H, J=1.79 Hz); 7.68-7.64 (m, 2H); 7.50 (s, 1H): 7.36-7.34 (d, 2H); 7.28-7.26 (d, 2H), 7.15-7.10 (m, 2H), 6.98 (s, 1H); 5.50 (s, 1H); 4.83-4.78 (m, 1H); 4.59-4.58 (d, 1H); 4.29-4.25 (m, 2H); 3.99-3.97 (q, 1H); 3.81 (s, 3H); 3.69-3.68 (m, 3H); 3.55-3.54 (d, 1H); 3.37-3.19 (abq, 2H); 2.35 (s, 3H); 1.93 (s, 3H) 1.33-1.29 (t, 3H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 100 MHz): 169.25, 165.62, 153.65, 152.98, 144.93, 140.11, 134.51, 134.50, 128.12, 124.69, 115.88, 63.51, 52.69, 52, 78, 51.98, 48.66, 34.54, 33.10, 20.69, 16.89, 13.52.

(2S,3S)-ethyl-3-((S)-1-((1-(4-aminophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylate (48)

The general click procedure was used substituting the following quantities using: 37 (29.5 mg, 0.084 mmol); 4-azidoaniline (11.3 mg, 0.084 mmol); CuSO₄ (3.0 mg, 0.02 mmol); NaAsc (7.0 mg, 0.03 mmol); TBTA (5.0 mg, 0.009 mmol); in t-BuOH/EtOH/H₂O (2:1:0.5); afforded 48 as a white solid (35 mg, 85.9%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): d=8.73 (s, 1H); 8.18 (bs, 1H); 7.86 (s, 1H); 7.85-7.83 (d, 1H, J=8.17 Hz); 7.46-7.35 (d, 2H, J=8.58 Hz); 7.06 (s, 1H); 6.80-6.78 (d, 2H, J=8.62 Hz), 4.78-4.77 (q, 1H): 4.48-4.47 (d, 2H, J=5.60 Hz); 4.29-4.23 (m, 2H); 3.65-3.64 (d, 1H, J=1.59 Hz): 3.51-3.51 (d, 1H, J=1.59 Hz); 3.41-3.24 (m, 2H): 1.33-1.30 (t, 3H). ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl₃): 169.12, 166.74, 166.14, 153.09, 151.8, 147.32, 144.44, 127.90, 121.86, 120.73, 115.77, 115.0, 62.07, 53.39, 52.23, 34.51, 34.39, 32.70, 13.6.

(2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-oxo-1-((1-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (49)

Followed general procedure using: the corresponding peptidomimetic epoxide ethyl ester 38 (23 mg, 0.47 mmol); LiOH (1.2 mg, 0.05 mmol); after extraction afforded the desired product as a white solid (18 mg, 84.9%). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 400 MHz): δ9.00-8.99 (d, 1H, J=1.76 Hz); 8.73-8.70 (t, 1H); 8.58-8.56 (d, 1H, J=8.24 Hz); 8.50 (s, 1H); 7.87-7.85 (d, 2H, J=7.76 Hz); 7.61-7.49 (m, 3H); 7.344-7.341 (d, 1H, J=1.21 Hz); 4.69-4.66 (q, 1H); 4.41-4.39 (d, 2H, J=5.49 Hz); 3.59-3.59 (d, 1H, J=1.58 Hz); 3.35-3.10 (m, 3H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 100 MHz): 170.62, 169.06, 165.75, 154.05, 153.31, 146.36, 137.07, 130.38, 129.06, 131.48, 120.41, 116.19, 53.25, 52.96, 51.90, 34.80, 29.42. HRMS-ESI: m/z [M+H⁺] calculated for C₁₉H₁₆N₆O₅S: 443.1137, observed: m/z 443.1135 (M+H⁺). HPLC Method 2: R_(t)=16.7 min; purity=97.9%.

(2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-((1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (50)

Followed general procedure using: the corresponding peptidomimetic epoxide ethyl ester 39 (25 mg, 0.51 mmol); LiOH (1.3 mg, 0.06 mmol); after extraction afforded the desired product as a white solid (18 mg, 76.2%). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 400 MHz): δ 8.98 (s, 1H); 8.72-8.70 (t, 1H); 8.57-8.55 (d, 1H, J=8.06); 8.48 (s, 1H); 7.93-7.90 (q, 2H); 7.48-7.44 (t, 2H); 7.34 (s, 1H); 4.70-4.65 (q, 1H); 4.40-4.38 (d, 2H; J=5.52); 3.66 (s, 1H); 3.54-3.06 (m, 3H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 100 MHz): 170.62, 165.75, 163.24, 160.80, 154.06, 153.32, 146.40, 133.62, 122.81, 122.72, 121.76, 117.33, 117.10, 53.24, 53.01, 52.94, 34.77, 33.50. HRMS-ESI: m/z [M+H⁺] calculated for C₁₉H₁₇FN₆O₅S: 461.1043, observed: m/z 461.1049 (M+H⁺): HPLC Method 2: R_(t)=17.9 min; purity=97.2%.

(2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-oxo-1-((1-(4-(piperidin-1-ylsulfonyl)phenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (51)

Followed general procedure using: the corresponding peptidomimetic epoxide ethyl ester 40 (26 mg, 0.42 mmol); LiOH (1.0 mg, 0.04 mmol); after extraction afforded the desired product as a white solid (12 mg, 48.3%). ¹H NMR (Acetone-d⁶, 400 MHz): δ8.98 (bs, 1H); 8.48 (s, 1H); 8.16-8.12 (d, 2H, 8.48); 8.02-8.00 (d, 2H, J=8.48 Hz); 7.37 (bs, 1H); 4.81 (bs, 1H); 4.52 (s, 2H); 3.85-3.79 (m, 4H); 3.61 (s, 1H); 3.55 (s, 1H); 1.82-1.60 (m, 6H). ¹³C NMR (Acetone-d⁶, 100 MHz): 170.07, 169.01, 165.12, 153.52, 139.36, 136.19, 129.47, 120.84, 120.21, 107.39, 107.25, 66.62, 53.44, 52.80, 52.77, 46.83, 32.52, 30.07, 25.02, 23.13. HRMS-ESI: m/z [M+H⁺] calculated for C₂₄H₂₇N₇O₇S₂: 590.6440, observed: m/z 590.1050 (M+H⁺); HPLC Method 2: R_(t)=21.7 min; purity=96.3%.

(2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-((1-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (52)

Followed general procedure using: the corresponding peptidomimetic epoxide ethyl ester 41 (10 mg, 0.16 mmol); LiOH (0.35 mg, 0.02 mmol); after extraction afforded the desired product as a white solid (7 mg, 73.1%). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 400 MHz): δ 9.00-8.99 (d, 1H, J=1.88 Hz); 8.71-8.68 (t, 1H); 8.57-8.55 (d, 1H, J=8.28 Hz); 8.38 (s, 1H); 7.46-7.45 (d, 1H, J=2.15 Hz); 7.33-7.31 (m, 2H); 7.11 (s, 1H); 7.09 (s, 1H); 6.15 (s, 2H); 4.67-4.65 (m, 1H); 4.38-4.36 (d, 2H); 3.60-3.58 (d, 1H, J=1.72 Hz); 3.50-3.17 (m, 3H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 100 MHz): 170.59, 169.06, 165.75, 154.05, 153.31, 148.65, 147.81, 146.07, 131.53, 121.69, 116.19, 114.15, 109.11, 102.58, 102.33, 53.24, 52.94, 51.90, 34.78, 33.49. HRMS-ESI: m/z [M+H⁺] calculated for C₂₀H₁₈N₆O₇S: 487.4643, observed: m/z 487.1050 (M+H⁺); HPLC Method 2: R_(t)=18.1 min; purity=97.7%.

(2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-oxo-1-((1-(4-sulfamoylphenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (53)

Followed general procedure using: the corresponding peptidomimetic epoxide ethyl ester 42 (30 mg, 0.55 mmol); LiOH (1.3 mg, 0.055 mmol); product goes into aqueous layer during work up. Aqueous layer washed with CH₂Cl₂ and lyophilized to give the desired product as a white solid (8 mg, 45.1%). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 400 MHz): δ 9.00-8.99 (d, 1H, J=1.92 Hz); 8.79-8.76 (t, 1H); 8.70-8.68 (d, 1H, J=8.0 Hz); 8.66 (s, 1H); 8.12-8.01 (m, 4H); 7.55 (s, 2H); 7.36 (s, 1H); 4.70-4.65 (m, 1H); 4.41-4.40 (d, 2H, J=5.20 Hz); 3.61 (s, 1H); 3.44-3.10 (m, 3H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 100 MHz): 372.25, 170.66, 169.06, 165.74, 154.10, 152.52, 138.29, 146.80, 144.19, 128.01, 121.75, 120.59, 116.29, 53.25, 52.98, 51.84, 49.01, 33.43. HRMS-ESI: m/z [M+H⁺] calculated for C₁₉H₁₉N₇O₇S₂: 522.0865, observed: m/z 522.0858 (M+H⁺); HPLC method 2: R_(t)=14.8 min; purity=95.1%.

(2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-((1-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (54)

Followed general procedure using: the corresponding peptidomimetic epoxide ethyl ester 43 (94 mg, 0.15 mmol); LiOH (3.7 mg, 0.15 mmol); after extraction afforded the desired product as a white solid (72 mg, 80.3%). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 400 MHz): δ 8.99-8.98 (d, 1H, J=1.92 Hz); 8.92 (s, 1H); 8.79-8.77 (t, 1H); 8.63 (s, 2H); 8.57-8.55 (d, 1H, J=8.27 Hz); 8.27 (s, 1H); 7.34-7.33 (d, 1H, J=1.85 Hz); 4.71-4.66 (m, 1H); 4.43-4.42 (d, 2H, J 5.67 Hz); 3.58-3.57 (d, 1H, J=1.73 Hz); 3.36-3.35 (d, 1H, J=1.70 Hz); 3.28-3.10 (m, 2H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 100 MHz): 170.67, 169.07, 165.80, 154.06, 153.29, 146.93, 138.32, 132.48, 132.14, 122.38, 121.11, 116.18, 53.22, 52.90, 51.96, 34.64, 33.51. HRMS-ESI: m/z [M+H⁺] calculated for C₂₁H₁₆F₆N₆O₅S: 579.4443, observed: m/z 579.0890 (M+H⁺); m/z 577.0775 (M+H⁺). HPLC method 2: R_(t)=24.5 min; purity=95.3%.

(2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-((1-(4-bromophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (55)

Followed general procedure using: the corresponding peptidomimetic epoxide ethyl ester 44 (25 mg, 0.04 mmol); LiOH (1.1 mg, 0.04 mmol); after extraction afforded the desired product as a white solid (18 mg, 75.9%). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 400 MHz): δ 8.99-8.98 (d, 1H, J=1.87 Hz); 8.74-8.71 (t, 1H); 8.58-8.56 (d, 1H, J=8.27 Hz); 8.54 (s, 1H); 7.86-7.79 (q, 4H); 7.34-7.33 (d, 1H, J=1.75 Hz); 4.70-4.65 (q, 1H); 4.40-4.38 (d, 2H, J=5.59 Hz); 3.60-3.59 (d, 1H, J=1.77 Hz); 3.38-3.37 (d, 1H, J=1.77 Hz); 3.28-3.10 (m, 2H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 100 MHz): 170.62, 169.08, 165.74, 154.06, 153.29, 146.57, 136.25, 133.27, 122.31, 121.67, 121.54, 116.20, 53, 25, 52.94, 51.89, 34.76, 33.49. HRMS-ESI: m/z [M+H⁺] calculated for C₁₉H₁₇BrN₆O₅S: 521.34, observed: m/z 523.0229 (M+H⁺); m/z 519.0123 (M−H⁺); HPLC Method 2: R_(t)=21.8 min; 97.2%.

(2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-((1-(4-nitrophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (56)

Followed general procedure using: the corresponding peptidomimetic epoxide ethyl ester 45 (27 mg, 0.05 mmol); LiOH (1.2 mg, 0.05 mmol); after extraction afforded the desired product as a white solid (20 mg, 78.3%). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 400 MHz): δ 9.00-8.99 (d, 1H, J=1.79 Hz); 8.74-8.71 (t, 1H); 8.59 (s, 1H); 8.48-8.47 (d, 1H, J=8.42 Hz); 8.47-8.45 (d, 2H, J=9.15 Hz); 8.21-8.19 (d, 2H, J=9.15 Hz); 7.34-7.33 (d, 1H, J=1.78 Hz); 4.69-4.66 (q, 1H); 4.42-4.41 (d, 2H, J=5.60 Hz); 3.60-3.59 (d, 1H, J=1.79 Hz); 3.50-3.10 (m, 3H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 100 MHz): 170.68, 169.07, 165.75, 154.10, 153.25, 147.11, 147.05, 141.26, 126.08, 121.95, 120.94, 116.23, 53.24, 52.95, 51.85, 34.69, 33.44. HRMS-ESI: m/z [M+H⁺] calculated for C₁₉H₁₇N₇O₇S: 488.4543, observed: m/z 488.0986 (M+H⁺); m/z 486.0864 (M−H⁺). HPLC Method 2: R_(t)=20.4 min; 93.4%.

(2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-((1-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (57)

Followed general procedure using: the corresponding peptidomimetic epoxide ethyl ester 46 (2.4 mg, 0.05 mmol); LiOH (1.1 mg, 0.05 mmol); after extraction afforded the desired product as a while solid (13 mg, 57.3%). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 400 MHz): δ 9.00-8.99 (d, 1H, J=1.90 Hz); 8.78-8.76 (t, 1H); 8.60-8.58 (d, 1H, J=8.29 Hz); 8.27 (s, 1H); 7.77-7.69 (m, 1H); 7.49-7.45 (t, 2H); 7.36-7.27 (m, 2H); 4.71-4.65 (m, 1H); 4.44-4.42 (d, 2H, J=5.63 Hz); 3.598-3.593 (d, 1H, J=1.78); 3.360-3.355 (d, 1H, J=1.78); 3.27-3.22 (m, 2H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 100 MHz): 170.69, 169.07, 165.69, 158.07, 158.04, 155.56, 155.53, 154.05, 153.31, 145.67, 136.62, 129.17, 128.48, 126.17, 116.17, 53.23, 52.93, 51.83, 34.67, 33.51. HRMS-ESI: m/z [M+H⁺] calculated for C₁₉H₁₆F₂N₆O₅S: 479.4343, observed: m/z 479.0960 (M+H⁺): HPLC Method 2: R_(t)=17.32 min; 95.9%.

(2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-((1-mesityl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid (58)

Followed general procedure using: the corresponding peptidomimetic epoxide ethyl ester 47 (24 mg, 0.05 mmol); LiOH (1.1 mg, 0.05 mmol); after extraction afforded the desired product as a white solid (15 mg, 66.1%). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 400 MHz): δ 8.98-8.97 (d, 1H, J=1.87 Hz); 8.72-8.70 (t, 1H, J=11.2 Hz); 8.55-8.53 (d, 1H, J=8.23 Hz); 7.93 (s, 1H): 7.34 (s, 1H); 7.08 (s, 1H); 4.68-4.63 (m, 1H); 4.42-4.40 (d, 2H, J=5.50 Hz); 3.61-3.50 (m, 4H); 2.32 (s, 3H); 1.86 (s, 6H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d⁶, 100 MHz): 170.29, 165.60, 153.65, 152.98, 144.93, 139.46, 134.51, 133.50, 128.90, 124.69, 115.78, 52.79, 52.58, 48.66, 34, 54, 33.10, 20.69, 16.89. HRMS-ESI: m/z [M+H⁺] calculated for C₂₂H₂₄N₆O₅S: 485.5343, observed: m/z 485.1622 (M+H⁺): m/z 483.1600 (M−H⁺); HPLC Method 2: R_(t)=23.6 min; 97.4%.

Example 3 Calpain Inhibition by 1st Generation Inhibitors: P3/P4 Cap Group Selection

Calpain activity was measured using full-length human Cal1 in the presence of a FRET substrate. IC₅₀ values were approximated by co-incubation of varying concentrations of the appropriate inhibitor (10, 100, 500, 1000 nM) in the presence of the FRET substrate (DABCYL)TPLK-SPPSPR-(EDANS) (SEQ ID NO: 5) and activation buffer. Fluorescence was measured following a 20 min incubation and % inhibition calculated by normalizing to control experiments containing no inhibitor. A peptide inhibitor, Z-LLY-FMK (SEQ ID NO: 6), was used as a positive control. In the case of potent inhibitors, the concentration-response was extended to include 1, 10, 50, 100, 250, and 500 nM inhibitor.

TABLE 2 Epoxysuccinate structures and inhibition data. Relative LD₅₀ ≧ selectivity 50 μM Cal I for Cal I primary No Structure IC₅₀ E64 = 1.0^(f) neurons 59

>1 μM 26

150 nM 1.6 YES E64

100 nM 1.0 YES 27

150 nM 60

>1 μM 61

~1 μM 0.3 YES 62

>1 μM 63

>1 μM 25

100 nM 0.9 YES 64

65

>1 μM 66

1 μM 67

150 nM 68

100 nM 69

>1 μM 70

>1 μM 71

>1 μM 72

200 nM 24a

30 nM 73

>1 μM 74

>1 μM 75

>1 μM 24b

175 nM 76

>1 μM 77

>1 μM 30b

>1 μM 78

>1 μM 30a

100 nM 79

>1 μM 80

>1 μM 23b

>1 μM 81

>1 μM 23a

50 nM 82

>1 μM 83

>1 μM 84

2.5 μM 22

100 nM 85

>10 μM 28

5 μM 35

5 μM 36

225 nM 29

5 μM 32

2.5 μM 33

100 nM 31a

535 nM 31b

>1 uM 86

30 nM 87

50 nM 88

275 nM 50

125 nM 49

1 uM 51

1.5 uM 52

400 nM 53

>1 uM 54

>1 uM 55

40 nM 56

300 nM 57

>1 uM 58

>1 uM 39

89

TABLE 3 Epoxysuccinate structures and inhibition data for full length Cal1.

epoxide Cal1 R₁ R₂ or R₃ stereochem IC₅₀ ^(a) E64 L-Leucine R₂ = Guanidinyl-1-butyl S,S 100 nM 22 L-Leucine R₂ = Phenyl S,S 100 nM 23a L-Leucine R₂ = 2,6-Difluorophenyl S,S 100 nM 23b L-Leucine R₂ = 2,6-Difluorophenyl R,R >1 μM 24a L-Leucine R₂ = 4-(4-Fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-amine S,S 50 nM 24b L-Leucine R₂ = 4-(4-Fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-amine R,R 250 nM 25 L-Leucine R₂ = 4-F-Phenyl-SO₂—NH—(CH₂)₄—NH₂ S,S 150 nM 26 L-Leucine R₂ = Lipoyl-NH—(CH₂)₄—NH₂ S,S 100 nM 27 L-Leucine R₂ = D-Biotin-NH—(CH₂)₄—NH₂ S,S 100 nM 28 L-Histidine R₂ = Phenyl S,S 5 μM 29 L-Histidine R₂ = 1,3,5-Trimethylaniline S,S 5 μM 30a L/D-Histidine R₂ = 4-(4-Fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-amine S,S 100 nM 30b L/D-Histidine R₂ = 4-(4-Fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-amine R,R >1 μM^(b) 31a L/D-Histidine R₂ = 6-Fluorobenzo[d]thiazol-2-amine S,S 530 nM 31b L/D-Histidine R₂ = 6-Fluorobenzo[d]thiazol-2-amine R,R >1 μM^(b) 32 L-Ala(4- R₂ = Phenyl S,S 2.5 μM thiazolyl) 33 L-Ala(4- R₂ = 4-(4-Fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-amine S,S 100 nM thiazolyl) 34 L-Ala(4- R₂ = 4-(4-Ethynylphenyl)thiazol-2-amine S,S 100 nM thiazolyl) 35 L-His(2-Me) R₂ = 4-(4-Fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-amine S,S 5 μM 36 L-His(4-Me) R₂ = 4-(4-Fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-amine S,S 225 nM 50 L-Ala(4- R₃ = 4-Fluorophenyl S,S 100 nM thiazolyl) 49 L-Ala(4- R₃ = Phenyl S,S 1 μM thiazolyl) 51 L-Ala(4- R₃ = 4-(Piperidin-1-ylsulfonyl)phenyl S,S 1.5 μM thiazolyl) 52 L-Ala(4- R₃ = Benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl S,S 400 nM thiazolyl) 53 L-Ala(4- R₃ = 4-Sulfamoylphenyl S,S >1 μM^(b) thiazolyl) 54 L-Ala(4- R₃ = 3,5-Bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl S,S >1 μM^(b) thiazolyl) 55 L-Ala(4- R₃ = 4-Bromophenyl S,S 40 nM thiazolyl) 56 L-Ala(4- R₃ = 4-Nitrophenyl S,S 300 nM thiazolyl) 57 L-Ala(4- R₃ = 2,6-Bis(fluoro)phenyl S,S >1 μM^(b) thiazolyl) 58 L-Ala(4- R₃ = 2,4,6-Tris(methyl)phenyl S,S >1 μM^(b) thiazolyl) ^(a)Inhibition was measured by monitoring fluorescence emission at 480 nm after 20 min incubations with varying concentration of inhibitor in the presence of the FRET sustrate: % inhibition normalized to control incubations in the absence of inhibitor. Data represents the mean ± S.D. of triplicate experiments. ^(b)Inhibition not quantifiable at 1 μM.

1^(st) generation inhibitors incorporating a L-leucine residue at the P2 position, 22-27 (Table 3), were designed to mimic E-64 at the P2 position while varying the P3 cap group to increase potency and bioavailability compared to the guanidino group of E-64. The majority of 1^(st) generation inhibitors were found to be approximately equipotent to E-64, with IC₅₀ values˜100 nM (±20-50), and one inhibitor, 24a, displayed improved potency with an IC₅₀ value of 50 nM (±25). These results are consistent with the understanding that hydrophobic amino acid residues at the P2 position deliver high affinity for Cal1. In two instances, 23 and 24, the importance of the S,S epoxide stereochemistry was demonstrated. Cal1 inhibition was not observed for the R,R derivative, 23b, whereas the S,S isomer was a potent inhibitor. The S,S epoxide stereochemistry has been proposed to be optimal based on molecular modeling, suggesting that the formation of a conserved interaction network by S,S epoxides enables close contact between the active site cysteine and the electrophilic C2 of the epoxide ring (Mladenovic, M. et al., The Journal of Physical Chemistry B 2008, 112, 11798-11808; Otto, H. H. et al., Chem Rev 1997, 97, 133-172; each herein incorporated by reference in its entirety).

Example 4 Active Site Modification by Novel Calpain Inhibitors

The recombinant Cal1 catalytic domain (Cal1_(cat)) is composed of the proteolytic domain of the full-length enzyme and has been used as a surrogate to study calpain activity (Moldoveanu, T. et al., Cell 2002, 108, 649-660; Moldoveanu, T. et al., Journal of Molecular Biology 2004, 343, 1313-1326; Cuerrier, D. et al., Biochemistry 2006, 45, 7446-52; Cuerrier, D. et al., Journal of Biological Chemistry 2005, 280, 40632-40641; each herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). Cal1_(cat) provides an advantage, because upon Ca²⁺-induced activation, full length Cal1 engages in autocatalytic, self-proteolysis complicating analysis of activity and inhibition. Cal1_(cat) is devoid of the autocatalytic activity observed for full length Cal1. Recombinant rat Cal1_(cat) was expressed and purified from E. coli, to examine aspects of inhibition in more detail.

Inhibition kinetics and x-ray crystallography support a mechanism of calpain inhibition by E-64, resulting from covalent modification of the active site Cys (Suzuki, K. et al., FEBS Letters 1983, 152, 67-70; herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). LC-MS/MS was used to support a similar mechanism for 24a. The experimental methodology is outlined in FIG. 3A. Cal1_(cat) (5 μM) was incubated with the appropriate inhibitor (10 μM) for 30 min. The mixture was quenched with EDTA (10 μM), and run on a SDS PAGE gel. Band excision, in-gel capping office cysteines with iodoacetamide (IAA, 10 μM), tryptic digest, and subsequent LC-MS/MS analysis afforded the chromatograms shown in FIG. 3B. The peptide fragment containing the active site Cys (TDICQGALGDC*WLLAAIASLTNETILHR) (SEQ ID NO: 7) was identified by mapping of tryptic digests and matching of m/z values for IAA modification (in the absence of inhibitors); and covalent modification by 24a or E-64. A peptide fragment containing an IAA labeled non-active site cysteine was used as an internal standard for semi-quantitative EIC analysis of the degree of active site modification observed (FIG. 3B). It is noteworthy that although Cal1_(cat) was employed in these studies, analysis of full length Cal1 gave an identical active site peptide fragment (TIC of control digest from Cal1_(cat) and full length Cal1 are compared in Example 10).

Similar incubations of Cal1_(cat) (1 μM) with either E-64 or 24a showed a concentration dependent modification of the active site cysteine (FIG. 3C). Co-incubation of Cal1_(cat) with E-64 and 24a (both 1 μM) demonstrated greater modification by 24a on the basis of observed EIC peak areas (FIG. 3D). This outcome, combined with the potency of inhibition by 24a, supported retention of the 4-F-phenylthiazole P3/P4 cap group for subsequent ligand development.

Example 5 Development of Second Generation Calpain Inhibitors

CA clan cysteine proteases have similar “unprimed” substrate binding pockets, with a common preference for hydrophobic residues at the S2 binding site (i.e. Leu, Ile, Val, Phe) (Greenbaum, D. et al., Chem Biol 2000, 7, 569-81; Greenbaum, D. C. et al., Chemistry & Biology 2002, 9, 1085-1094; Otto, H. H. et al., Chem Rev 1997, 97, 133-172; each herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). Previous work on peptides appended with an epoxysuccinate ester warhead has indicated that a P2 histidine might confer Cal1 selectivity. The rationale given being the presence of a stabilizing hydrogen bond occurring within the S2 pocket with a highly conserved water molecule chelated by Glu-349 and Thr-210 (Cuerrier, D. et al., J Biol Chem 2007, 282, 9600-11; herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). A focused series of L-histidine incorporating analogs was synthesized and evaluated (28-31). In addition, two N-methyl L-histidine derivatives, 35 and 36, were created to probe the S2 pocket.

Facile protonation of the histidine can cause problems in synthesis and hinder druggability, therefore, thiazole analogues were also developed (32-34). Screening of the 2^(nd) generation compounds revealed a general loss of activity on replacement of L-leucine (Table 3), although the P2 analogues, 30a and 33, were approximately equipotent to E-64 (IC₅₀˜100 nM). The crystal structures used to rationalize the selectivity and active site interactions of L-histidine at P2 contained ethyl epoxysuccinate esters, yet simple ethyl esters of 1^(st) and 2^(nd) generation epoxysuccinates did not give measurable inhibition of Cal1.

To examine the ability of the P2 histidine substitution and the thiazolyl analogues to confer selectivity, a simple competition experiment was performed, comparing E-64, 24a, 30a, and 33. The biotinylated leucine-based epoxysuccinate 27 was shown to be a Cal1 inhibitor, and was also shown to covalently modify both Cal1 and CathB, individually and in combination, using anti-biotin immune-blotting of reaction mixtures after ID SDS-PAGE (FIG. 4). CathB is a related CA clan cysteine protease which shows similar unprimed subsite binding preference to Cal1. Cal1_(cat) was used in place of the full length enzyme to avoid autocatalysis. Cal1_(cat) has been reported to possess decreased activity compared to the full length enzyme, but to retain similar substrate specificity (Moldoveanu, T. et al., Cell 2002, 108, 649-660; Moldoveanu, T. et al., Journal of Molecular Biology 2004, 343, 1313-1326; Cuerrier, D. et al., Biochemistry 2006, 45, 7446-52; Cuerrier, D. et al., Journal of Biological Chemistry 2005, 280, 40632-40641; each herein incorporated by reference in its entirety).

Cal1_(cat) and CathB were pre-treated with inhibitors for 10 min, followed by a 20 min incubation with the biotinylated epoxide, 27, as illustrated in FIG. 4. E-64 caused substantial loss of signal (lane 2), indicating effective blocking of the active sites of both enzymes from modification by 27. The potent 1^(st) generation Cal1 inhibitor 24a also substantially reduced signals from both enzymes (lane 4), whereas simple visual inspection of western blots showed that 30a (lane 3) and 33 (lane 5) elicited little change in the CathB signal. Qualitatively, the desired selectivity of imidazolyl and thiazolyl substitutions at the P2 position was demonstrated. A more quantitative estimate of selectivity was achieved by comparison of band intensities. Setting the ratio of Cal1_(cat) versus CathB band intensities from modification by the probe, 27, as 1.0, E-64 was assessed to have selectivity for Cal1_(cat) (1.5), whereas 24a was observed to be non-selective (FIG. 4). Both 2^(nd) generation inhibitors were observed to be selective for Cal1_(cat).

Structural overlay of docking results for 24a, 30a, and 33 predicts a common binding motif, with the P3 cap group extended into the solvent exposed S4-S3 region and the P2 peptidomimetic moiety situated within the S2 pocket (FIG. 5). Docking poses are compatible with the potential of 30a and 33 to interact with the conserved H₂O molecule at the S2 site. It should be noted that incorporation of imidazolyl or thiazolyl groups did not increase affinity for the Cal1 binding site relative to the leucine-based inhibitors, however, this modification did provide selectivity.

Example 6 In Silica Guidance Towards P3/P4 Refinement

Computationally guided drug design based upon crystal structures of cysteine proteases modified by epoxide inhibitors is recognized as problematic. Nucleophilic attack by the active site Cys leads to ring-opening and relaxation by free rotation about the C(OH)—C(S-Cys) single bond (FIG. 6). Such crystal structures are not expected to reflect the significant stereoelectronic requirement for stabilization of the cyclic transition state. Therefore, as an alternative approach, docking of inhibitors was scored (NSig) by emphasizing two parameters: d1) the distance between the His general base and the epoxide O; and d2) the distance between the nucleophilic S and C2 of the epoxide. To test this approach and to explore P3/P4 modifications further, a click chemistry approach was used to generate a library of analogs of compound 33, using a divergent synthetic approach. Thirty two synthetically accessible analogs of compound 33 were screened in silico to select ten for synthesis and assay. Compounds predicted to be poor inhibitors (53, 54, 57, and 58) yielded relatively high IC₅₀ values, while molecules predicted to be effective inhibitors displayed potent activity for calpain (50, 52, 55, and 56), with 54 representing a notable outlier by demonstrating weak activity despite being predicted to be potent. A correlation of docking score (Nsig) with IC₅₀ gave a good correlation (R²=0.968) for 49-52, 55-56.

Example 7 Enzyme Kinetic Studies for Selectivity for Cal1

Papain is representative of a family of typically lysosomal or secreted cysteine proteases, including the human cathepsins (B, C, F, H, K, L1-2, O, S, W, Z). The P1 peptide residue is cationic and P2 is hydrophobic and includes Leu, therefore papain represents a useful counterscreen for Cal1. Several methods have been reported in the literature for detailed kinetic analysis of the irreversible inhibition of cysteine proteases, including Cal1. S/N was too poor for kinetic analysis using the FRET method employed in initial screening, therefore conditions were optimized for use of the aminomethylcoumarin substrate, SLLVYAMC (SEQ ID NO: 8). Using this substrate, kinetic parameters were derived using the method of Davies and co-workers, whereby “progress curves” were initially obtained measuring product formation as a function of time and fitted to y=P_(∞)*(1−e^((−k*x))) (FIG. 7) (Cuerrier, D. et al., J Biol Chem 2007, 282, 9600-11; herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). Plots of P_(∞) versus 1/[I] gave excellent linear correlations supporting the validity of the approach. Kinetic parameters (k_(i), K_(I), k_(i)/K_(I)) were obtained from double reciprocal plots (FIG. 7). Using k_(i)/K_(I) as a measure of inhibition efficiency to assess relative selectivity for inhibition of Cal1 over papain, the data presented in Table 4 show that 24a is less selective for Cal1 than is the lead compound E-64, whereas 33, 34, 50 all show Cal1 selectivity. Reference to Table 4 and FIG. 7 show that the cause of this selectivity is not differentiated inhibition of Cal1, but inefficient inhibition of papain caused by the P2-thiazole. The P3 cap group of 50 also contributes to the higher selectivity of this derivative by reducing binding affinity to papain, but not Cal1.

TABLE 4 Inhibition efficiency of epoxysuccinates for Cal1 and papain and relative selectivity. Calpain1 Papain K₁ K₁ Relative (uM) k_(i) (s⁻¹) 10⁻⁴ × k_(i)/K_(i) ^(a) rel^(b) (uM) k_(i) (s⁻¹) 10⁻⁵ × k_(i)/K_(i) ^(a) rel^(b) Selectivity^(c) E-64 4.0 0.12 3.02 ± 0.15 1 5.1 28.6 56.3 ± 5.2  1 1 24a 6.0 0.16 2.74 ± 0.19 0.91 1.6 17.1 105 ± 4.1  1.9 0.5 33 2.6 0.08 2.96 ± 0.14 0.98 5.3 14.8 27.9 ± 4.7  0.50 2.0 34 3.5 0.14 3.89 ± 0.41 1.3 9.70 21.6 22.3 ± 0.24 0.40 3.3 50 2.9 0.10 3.31 ± 0.32 1.1 19.2 12.7 6.62 ± 0.74 0.12 9.3 ^(a)Calculated inhibition rate and apparent equilibrium constants versus full length Cal1 and papain. ^(b)k_(i)/K_(i) calculated relative, to E-64. ^(c)Selectivity calculated using k_(i)/K_(i) relative to E-64 set at 1.0. Inhibition constants were calculated as described in the text, varying both enzyme and inhibitor concentrations. Data represent the mean ± S.D. of triplicate experiments.

Example 8 Calpain Inhibition FRET Assay

The Calbiochem InnoZyme activity kit was used for measuring the inhibition effect inhibitors on human erythrocyte calpain 1 activity. A calpain FRET substrate, (DABCYL)-TPLKSPPPSPR-(EDANS) (SEQ ID NO: 9), was used to detect the activity of Cal1. 20 μM of the FRET substrate, 10 nM of native Cal1, and 20 μM TCEP (reducing agent) were added to the reaction mixture containing assay buffer (Tris [10 mM], NaCl [100 mM], pH 7.4). Cal1 was activated by the addition of 10 μM calcium. Cleavage of the scissile bond amide bond, K-S, releases the fluorophore (EDANS) from the internal quenching molecule (DABCYL), resulting in an increase in fluorescence measured at 320 nm excitation and 480 nm emission wave lengths for 30 min. Each inhibitor was added to the reaction mixture at varying concentrations (10 nM, 100 nM, 1 μM, and 10 μM) to detect inhibition of Cal1 and reduction in fluorescence was measured by 96 well-plate reader. Approximate IC₅₀ values of each compound were generated using linear regression within Graphpad Prism Software.

Example 9 Cal1cat Expression and Purification

Expression: E. coli strain BL21(DE3) was transformed with a pET24d-based plasmid construct containing active domains I-II of μ-calpain, the creation of which is described in Davies, P. L., et al., Cell, 2002. 108(5): 649-660, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. One liter cultures were incubated in LB medium containing 30 μg/mL kanamycin at 37° C. with shaking at 225 rpm, and induced with 0.5 mM IPTG after reaching an OD600 of 0.6. Following an additional three hours of incubation, cell pellets were generated by centrifugation of 0.5 L aliquots (4° C., 13,000 rpm, 30 min) and stored at −80° C. prior to use.

Growth conditions for Cal1cat expression: E. coli strain BL21(DE3) was transformed with a pET24d-based plasmid construct containing active domains I-II of μ-calpain, the creation of which is described in Davies, P. L., et al., Cell, 2002. 108(5): 649-660, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. One liter cultures were incubated in LB medium containing 30 μg/mL kanamycin at 37° C. with shaking at 225 rpm, and induced with 0.5 mM IPTG after reaching an OD600 of 0.6. Following an additional three hours of incubation, cell pellets were generated by centrifugation of 0.5 L aliquots (4° C., 13,000 rpm, 30 min) and stored at −80° C. prior to use.

Purification of Cal1_(cat):

Frozen cell pellets were resuspended in 25 mL Lysis Buffer (500 mM NaCl, 50 mM HEPES, pH 7.6, 20 mM imidazole, 1 mM PMSF, 100 ug/mL lysozyme) and incubated on ice for 30 min. Cells were lysed by sonication and clarified by centrifugation (4° C., 13,000 rpm, 20 min). Lysate was applied to Ni²⁺-affinity columns (HisTrap FF crude, 5 mL, GE Healthcare) for purification. Proteins were eluted with a linear gradient of 100:0 A:B to 0:100 A:B (Buffer A=500 mM NaCl, 50 mM HEPES, pH 7.6, 20 mM imidazole. Buffer B=500 mM NaCl, 250 mM imidazole, 50 mM HEPES, pH 7.6.) at 5 mL/min and collected in 5 mL fractions containing 200 μL Receiving Buffer (50 mM HEPES, pH 7.6, 4 mM EDTA, 1 mM TCEP; final concentration). Eluted protein was concentrated by 10K molecular weight filter (Millipore), and exchanged into Storage Buffer (150 mM NaCl, 50 mM HEPES, pH 7.6, 5% glycerol (v/v), 1 mM TCEP, 100 μM EDTA) via gel filtration (HiTrap Desalting, 5 mL, GE Healthcare). Concentrated enzyme was stored in 20 μL aliquots at −80° C. Final purified enzyme protein concentration was determined by bicinchoninic acid assay (Thermo Scientific) following the manufacturer's protocol against BSA standards, diluted with Storage Buffer. Proteins were analyzed by 4-12% polyacrylamide gel (NuPAGE) loaded with 7 uL marker (Precision Plus Protein Kaleidoscope Standard, BioRad Inc), Gels were stained with Bio SafeCoomassie (BioRad, Inc).

μI-II Sequence (SEQ ID NO: 10): MGRHENAIKYLGQDYENLRARCLQNGVLFQDDAFPPVSHSLGFKELGPNS SKTYGIKWKRPTELLSNPQFIVDGATRTDICQGALGDCWLLAAIASLTLN ETILHRVVPYGQSFQEGYAGIFHFQLWQFGEWVDVVVDDLLPTKDGKLVF VHSAQGNEFWSALLEKAYAKVNGSYEALSGGCTSEAFEDFTGGVTEWYDL QKAPSDLYQIILKALERGSLLGCSINISDIRDLEAITFKNLVRGHAYSVT DAKQVTYQGQRVNLIRMRNPWGEVEWKGPWSDNSYEWNKVDPYEREQLRV KMEDGEFWMSFRDFIREFTKLEICNLTPDLEHHHHHH.

Cal1_(cat) sequence alignment is shown in FIG. 8. Active site cysteine is 115 in the “mini calpains alignment” and 132 in “whole calpains alignment”. Alignment was performed with CLC Sequence viewer (free version) using sequences downloaded from Pubmed.

Example 10 LC-MS/MS Examination of Inhibitor Modified Cal1_(cat) Active Site

The recombinant Cal1_(cat) (5 μM) was activated via addition of CaCl₂ (10 mM) and incubated with E-64 and/or 22a (5 μM) for 20 min. The reaction was quenched with EDTA (10 μM) and reaction mixture ran on a SDS PAGE gel. The Cal1_(cat) containing band was cut from the gel and submitted to in-gel alkylation with IAA (100 mM) for 60 min, followed by trypsin digestion. LC-MS/MS was carried out on an Agilent 6300 Ion-Trap LC/MS. HPLC separation employed a phenomenex Jupiter reverse phase HPLC column (5 micron, 150 mm, 2.00 mm); mobile phase ACN[0.1% formic acid])/water ([0.1% formic acid]). The resulting TIC and EIC were analyzed for anticipated m/z modified peptide fragments.

Calculated m/z for the active site peptide: TDICQGALGDCWLLAAIASLTLNETILHR (SEQ ID NO: 11). Theoretical m/z=3113.6 (=3) MW: 1038.8, (=4) MW 779.2.

Calculated m/z for IAA modified active site peptide sequence: TDIC(Carbamidomethyl)QGALGDC(Carbamidomethyl)WLLAAIASLTLNETILHR (SEQ ID NO: 12). Theoretical m/z=3227.8 (+3); 1076.8, (+4); MW 807.6. Observed m/z=(+3) 1076.5; (+4) 807.7.

Calculated m/z for E-64 and IAA modified active site peptide sequence: Sequence-TDIC(Carbamidomethyl)QGALGDC(E64)WLLAAIASLTLNETILHR (SEQ ID NO: 13).

Theoretical m/z=3528.1 (+3); 1176.1, (+4); MW 882.1. Observed m/z=(+3); 1176.4, (+4) MW 882.8

Example 11 Competition Assay for Cal1 Vs CathB Using the Biotinylated Epoxide Probe

The appropriate inhibitor (5 μM) was pre-incubated in a mixture containing Cal1_(cat) (2 μM), CathB (2 μM), TCEP (1 mM), and Ca²⁺ (30 μM) for 10 min at 37° C. 23 (5 μM) was then added and the mixture incubated an additional 20 min. The reaction was quenched with EDTA (10 μM) and samples were ran using 4-16% SDS PAGE gel, subsequently transferred to PVDF membrane and visualized by Pierce ECL (Enhanced chemiluminescent) western blotting substrate, intensity of each blot was calculated using densitometry software. Relative inhibition of each enzyme was calculated with respect to enzyme activity in the absence of inhibitor. Inhibitor preference to Cal1_(cat) with respect to CathB, was calculated by dividing relative Cal1_(cat) inhibition with relative CathB inhibition of that particular inhibitor.

Example 12 Calpain and Papain Inhibition Kinetics Studies

Full length porcine calpain (156 nM), or papain (236 pM) was added to a solution of 100 mM NaCl, 50 mM HEPES, pH 7.6, 1 mM TCEP, 30 μM Suc-LLVY-AMC (SEQ ID NO: 8) substrate, and inhibitor (0.5 to 50 μM). Calpain reactions also contained CaCl₂ (1 mM and 100 mM for porcine and rat respectively). Both substrate and inhibitors were dissolved in acetonitrile/DMSO (1:1) with the exception of E-64, dissolved in water. Organic solvent remained <2% in all reactions, and most often <1%. Reactions were carried out in microtiter 96-well plates, with 150 μL per well, 30° C., and product formation was monitored over time by fluorescence (Ex/Em 346/444 nm, with 420 nm cutoff filter). Kinetic values of k_(obs) were determined via non-linear regression using one-phase association analysis and linear plots of 1/k_(obs) vs. 1/[I] provided kinetic constants k_(i) and K_(I).

Example 13 Tests of Synaptic Dysfunction

With respect to screening our optimized compounds against synaptic dysfunction, we have used the LTP rescue test. Compounds 67, 22a, 30a, 36, 66, 33, 50 and 55 were assessed at values of amyloid-beta equal to 650 nM, corresponding to the ED₅₀ for E64 (as a benchmark). Compounds 67, 22a, 66, 33, and 50 surpassed E64 in potency for LTP rescue (FIG. 9). By contrast, 36 and 55 did not surpass it.

Example 14 Preliminary Toxicity Profile of Selected Compounds

For evaluation of acute and chronic toxicity we measured the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) in mice for 30a, 33 and 50. MTD was computed as the maximum administered dose that does not produce any toxicity effect in terms of malaise or death. MTD was set at the dose of 100 mg/kg for 30a, 150 mg/kg for 33, and 200 mg/kg for 50. All these doses were >10 times the dose used in the efficacy study. Evaluation of acute toxicity revealed no clinical signs of toxicity for the three compounds. With regard to the evaluation of the chronic toxicity, the histopathological evidences did not denounce a generalized toxicity induced by the chronic treatment at MTD for the three compounds. However, nephrotoxicity was noticed in the 30a-treated group as evidenced by the isometrical vacuolization, probably associated to osmolality adjustment.

Example 15 Preliminary Pharmacokinetic Profile of Selected Compounds

Plasma concentrations of 30a, 33 and 50 were determined by LC-MS/MS after i.p. administration to ICR mice. The plasma concentrations at each sampling time are shown on FIG. 10. The analysis of kinetics indicates that all three candidate compounds are rapidly absorbed upon i.p. injection. Indeed, following i.p. administration of 30a (7.57 mg/kg), 33 (7.86 mg/kg) and 50 (7.83 mg/kg), the peak plasma concentration occurred at 0.25, 0.5 and 0.125 h after dosing, respectively. The absolute bioavailability of 30a, 33 and 50 after i.p. administration was 80.4%, 87.3% and 41.3%, respectively. The respective half-lives were ˜0.6 hrs, ˜1.1 hrs and ˜0.6 hrs.

Example 16 Evaluation of Brain Drug Activity of Selected Compounds

Studies were performed to determine capability of lowering levels of spectrin proteolytic degradation products in hippocampi from adult animals. Using western blot analysis, prevention of calpain-generated spectrin fragments was checked following i.p. treatment for 12 days with 30a, 33 and 50 at the same concentrations used for PK assessment. Western blotting form hippocampi homogenates obtained from animals treated with vehicle, 30a, 33 and 50 are shown in FIG. 11. The array of vehicle samples was obtained by loading samples with 5, 10, 15, and 20 μg total protein/lane. Samples from compound treated animals were loaded at 15 μg/lane. Compound 30a was less efficient at preventing the spectrin cleavage by calpains while the remaining two compounds 33 and 50 dramatically reduced the amount of fragments. Furthermore, 33 and 50 were capable of effectively penetrating the brain.

Example 17 Behavioral Rescue Assays

The ability of compounds to rescue the defects in associative and reference memory in 3 month old APP/PS1 animals was assessed. Capability of ameliorating the defects in contextual fear memory was tested via i.p. administration (FIG. 12). In the 2-day RAWM test, daily injections of the 67, 30a, 33 and 50 from the 2nd month of age were beneficial against the loss of contextual fear memory and reference memory.

Impact of chronic treatment on against memory loss in older APP/PS1 mice (7 months of age) with a more severe plaque load was also investigated. Compounds 67, 33 and 50 were beneficial against memory impairment following chronic administration (FIG. 13).

Example 18 Confirmation of Drug Action in the Brain Using Clicked Conjugates

PK analysis in ICR mice revealed very low brain bioavailability. This presented a conundrum given the precognitive activity in vivo of drugs and the reduced calpain-mediated hippocampal spectrin cleavage. Brain and plasma bioavailability were confirmed by LC-MS/MS at UIC in C57/BL6 mice. Possible explanations for this conundrum are: 1) covalent bonds of the compound with proteins; 2) tight, but reversible bonds with proteins; 3) extensive metabolism in vivo. To discriminate between these possibilities further assessment suggested that the compound is bound to albumin, which in turn masks the transportation through the BBB. In an effort to ameliorate the PK of the compounds, the synthesis of prodrugs has also been undertaken. Covalent modification of the active site of calpain 1 is part of the drag MOA. To address this issue, 2 N3-tagged derivatives have been prepared (FIG. 14). Alkynyl epoxide compounds 34 or 88 are administered to mice, which are sacrificed at 10 and 30 min, followed by perfusion and brain excision. Proteins including those modified by the alkynyl epoxide are isolated from brain tissue and after filtering through an avidin column are clicked to a biotinyl azide. Western blotting with streptavidin-HRP visualizes drug-modified proteins. In-gel digest and LC-MS/MS proteomic analysis identifies modified protein targets. Positive western blot will confirm that drags penetrate the BBB. Proteomic analysis is not absolutely required, however, could be considered as future value-added experiments supporting MOA.

Example 19 Behavioral Rescue Assays for Prodrugs

The ability of a prodrug to rescue the defects in associative and reference memory in 3 month old APP/PS1 animals was assessed. Esterified compounds showed increased BBB penetration vs. acid congeners. However, the esterified compounds showed also: a) increased reactivity toward GSH, generating rapid opening of reactive 2 rings: b) generalized reactivity toward other SH-reactive targets, possibly any protein target with reactive cysteines; c) poor prodrug behavior leading to decreased activity of the inhibitors; d) the in vivo effect even in presence of a poor PK/PD suggests multiple mechanisms of action; e) possibly higher selectivity for calpain 1 despite lower inhibitory activity. Thus, the esterification seems to improve PK but it spoils PD parameters. Compound 89 ameliorates both LTP and memory in 3 month old APP/PS1 mice (FIG. 15). Daily treatment with 89 from the age of 2 months until 3 months ameliorated the defect in LTP (A) contextual fear memory (B) and reference memory (C) in APP/PS1 mice. n=10 for all groups. P<0.05 in transgenics treated with compound compared to their respective vehicle-treated transgenics.

Example 20 Effect on Aβ Levels in APP/PS1 Mice

Increase of brain and plasma levels of Aβ and appearance of amyloid plaques is an important feature of AD. Thus, although E64 and BDA-410 do not have any effect on Aβ levels and plaque load, analysis of the effect of the novel calpain inhibitors by measuring Aβ 40 and 42 on brain tissue and blood samples taken from animals treated with 33 and 89 was performed. As observed with E64 and BDA-410 no difference was detected between hippocampi of compound-treated transgenics and vehicle-treated transgenics (FIG. 16). Similar results were obtained in cortex.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated in the foregoing illustrative embodiments, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example, and that numerous changes in the details of implementation of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is limited only by the claims that follow. Features of the disclosed embodiments can be combined and/or rearranged in various ways within the scope and spirit of the invention to produce further embodiments that are also within the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain, using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific embodiments described specifically in this disclosure. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed in the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound of formula (I-a),

wherein, R¹ is —CO₂H or —CO₂(C₁-C₄)-alkyl; R² is hydrogen or —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl; R⁴ is —(CH₂)-thiazolyl; R⁵ is —(C₁-C₆)-alkyl-R⁶, —(C₂-C₅)-alkenyl, —(C₂-C₅)-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(n)-aryl, or —(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl, wherein said aryl or heteroaryl are substituted with one or more R⁷ groups; R⁶ is —N(R¹⁰)C(O)R⁸ or —N(R¹⁰)S(O)₂R⁸; R⁷ is independently halogen, —(C₁-C₃)-alkyl, aryl, methylenedioxyphenyl, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, wherein said aryl is optionally substituted with one or more R⁹ groups; R⁸ is —(C₁-C₆)-alkyl-R¹¹ or aryl, wherein aryl is optionally substituted with one or more R⁹ groups; R⁹ is independently hydrogen, halogen, —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, —(C₁-C₄)-haloalkyl, —(C₂-C₄)-alkynyl, CN, NO₂, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or

R¹⁰ is independently hydrogen or —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl; R¹¹ is hydrogen or

n is an integer from 0-4; and p is an integer from 0-3.
 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein R¹ is —CO₂H or —CO₂(C₁-C₄)-alkyl; R² is hydrogen or —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl; R⁴ is

R⁵ is —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl-R⁶, —(CH₂)_(n)-aryl, or —(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl, wherein said aryl or heteroaryl are substituted with one or more R⁷ groups; R⁶ is —N(R¹⁰)C(O)R⁸ or —N(R¹⁰)S(O)₂R₈; R⁷ is independently halogen, —(C₁-C₃)-alkyl, aryl, methylenedioxyphenyl, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, wherein said aryl is optionally substituted with one or more R⁹ groups; R⁸ is —(C₁-C₆)-alkyl-R¹¹ or aryl, wherein aryl is optionally substituted with one or more R⁹ groups; R⁹ is independently hydrogen, halogen, —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl, —(C₁-C₂)-haloalkyl, —(C₂-C₄)-alkynyl, CN, NO₂, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or

R¹⁰ is independently hydrogen or —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl; R¹¹ is hydrogen or

n is an integer from 0-2; and p is an integer from 0-1.
 3. The compound of claim 1, wherein R¹ is —CO₂H or —CO₂(C₁-C₄)-alkyl; R² is hydrogen or —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl; R⁵ is —(CH₂)_(n)-aryl, or —(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl, wherein said aryl or heteroaryl are substituted with one or more R⁷ groups; R⁷ is independently halogen, —(C₁-C₃)-alkyl, aryl, methylenedioxyphenyl, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, wherein said aryl is optionally substituted with one or more R⁹ groups; R⁹ is independently hydrogen, halogen, —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl, —(C₁-C₂)-haloalkyl, —(C₂-C₄)-alkynyl, CN, NO₂, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or

R¹⁰ is independently hydrogen or —(C₁-C₄)-alkyl; n is an integer from 0-2; and p is an integer from 0-1.
 4. The compound of claim 1, wherein R¹ is —CO₂H or —CO₂(C₁-C₂)-alkyl; R² is hydrogen or —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl; R⁵ is —(CH₂)_(n)-phenyl, or —(CH₂)_(n)-heteroaryl, wherein said phenyl or heteroaryl are substituted with one or more R⁷ groups; R⁷ is independently halogen, —(C₁-C₃)-alkyl, phenyl, methylenedioxyphenyl, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, wherein said phenyl is optionally substituted with one or more R⁹ groups; R⁹ is independently hydrogen, halogen, —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl, —(C₁-C₂)-haloalkyl, —(C₂-C₄)-alkynyl, CN, NO₂, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or

R¹⁰ is independently hydrogen or —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl; n is an integer from 0-2; and p is an integer from 0-1.
 5. The compound of claim 1, wherein R¹ is —CO₂H or —CO₂(C₁-C₂)-alkyl; R² is hydrogen or —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl; R⁵ is thiazolyl or —(CH₂)-triazolyl, wherein said thiazolyl or triazolyl are substituted with an R⁷ group; R⁷ is phenyl optionally substituted with one or more R⁹ groups; R⁹ is independently halogen, —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl, —(C₁-C₂)-haloalkyl, —(C₂-C₄)-alkynyl, CN, NO₂, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or

R¹⁰ is independently hydrogen or —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl; and p is an integer from 0-1.
 6. The compound of claim 1, wherein R¹ is —CO₂H or —CO₂(C₁-C₂)-alkyl; R² is hydrogen or —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl; R⁵ is thiazolyl or —(CH₂)-triazolyl, wherein said thiazolyl or triazolyl are substituted with an R⁷ group; R⁷ is phenyl optionally substituted with one or more R⁹ groups; R⁹ is independently halogen, —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl, —(C₁-C₂)-haloalkyl, —(C₂-C₄)-alkynyl, CN, NO₂, —S(O)₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or

R¹⁰ is independently hydrogen or methyl; and p is an integer from 0-1.
 7. The compound of claim 1, wherein R¹ is —CO₂H or —CO₂(C₁-C₂)-alkyl; R² is hydrogen; R⁵ is

R⁷ is phenyl optionally substituted with one or more R⁹ groups; R⁹ is independently halogen, —(C₁-C₂)-alkyl, —(C₁-C₂)-haloalkyl, —(C₂-C₃)-alkynyl, NO₂, —S(O)₂NH₂, or

 and p is an integer from 0-1.
 8. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound is selected from (2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-ylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid; (2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-(4-(4-ethynylphenyl)thiazol-2-ylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid; (2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-((1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid; and (2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-((1-(4-bromophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid.
 9. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound is selected from (2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)thiazol-2-ylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid; (2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-((1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid; and (2S,3S)-3-((S)-1-((1-(4-bromophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methylamino)-1-oxo-3-(thiazol-4-yl)propan-2-ylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carboxylic acid. 